“Hi, I’m Liz Syms, the Chief Executive Officer and founder of Connect Mortgages, Connect Experts and Connect for Intermediaries.”
Liz began her career in mortgages and financial services at 19, working at Prudential. In 1998, she moved into self-employment and established what later became Connect IFA Ltd in 2006. The business was initially based within a letting agent in Hornchurch, Essex. While she arranged a broad range of mortgage solutions from the outset, working closely with letting agents naturally led her to develop strong expertise in property investment finance.
Today, the business remains based in Hornchurch and has grown to employ more than 70 staff. The Connect Group supports mortgage and finance solutions for a wide range of property purchasers, while continuing to specialise in complex buy-to-let and commercial lending. Connect Mortgages is a trading division of Connect IFA Ltd. It provides mortgage and insurance services directly to consumers, focusing on both standard and specialist lending needs.
Connect for Intermediaries is the mortgage network within the Connect Group. It provides FCA regulation, compliance support, administration, and research services for more than 300 appointed representatives. Advisers within the network can provide advice across the whole mortgage market, including specialist lending products.
The Connect Group also offers placement and packaging services to other mortgage advisers. These services are designed to support advisers who require access to specialist lender knowledge and experience for complex cases.
Connect Experts is another trading division of Connect IFA Ltd. It connects consumers with qualified mortgage advisers across the UK, helping clients find appropriate advice based on their individual circumstances. Throughout the Connect Group’s growth, the focus has remained on professional standards, regulatory compliance, and providing access to specialist mortgage solutions when traditional lending routes may not be suitable.