Just Mortgages appoints Sandie Lear as new divisional sales director

13 March 2025

Just Mortgages, one of the UK’s largest mortgage brokerages, has strengthened its successful employed division with the appointment of Sandie Lear as divisional sales director.

Leading the successful Metro region, Sandie will be supporting and growing her team of employed mortgage advisers in 21 Haart estate agency branches across East London. She brings with her more than 20 years of experience across the mortgage market and wider financial services, both as an adviser and as a successful sales manager, recruiting, training and developing mortgage advisers in her team.

Sandie started her career at Woolwich as a mortgage specialist, before joining Countrywide in 2006. Following a four-year stint with HSBC, where she served as a senior financial planning manager, Sandie joined The New Homes Group and across almost 13 years, she has risen through the ranks and supported many of the group’s key brands, including GMC, Connells and most recently, Mortgage Bureau and Partridge Mortgage Services, as a Senior New Build Mortgage Manager.

During her tenure, Sandie has taken on a range of responsibilities and additional projects, including supporting on system integrations, adviser inductions and training programs, as well as working with underperforming departments to drive improvements and return them to growth.

Sandie takes over the Metro region from financial services director Andrew Lake, who will support Sandie and the two other divisional sales directors that cover the south of the Orion chapter, which is headed up by chapter managing director John Doughty.

Sandie Lear said:

“This opportunity is a great way to share my vast experience developing advisers to provide the highest level of service and advice, which ultimately brings positive outcomes across the board. It’s satisfying to watch the positive influence you can have on a team to help them be successful in doing what they love, which is where my passion shows. Having the opportunity to build the family to continue that success is a key reason for joining Just Mortgages. Joining a company that has centric values for both its customers and its team is something very exciting and I look forward to the road ahead.

“Even on my first day with Just Mortgages, I already felt part of the family here, with people across the business going out of their way to make me feel welcome. Speaking with people I knew who already worked here, they were very complimentary of the business, which goes along way. It’s really a winning combination with a great team, great business and a great attitude. Just Mortgages has clear aspirations and growth plans which are really quite exciting.”

John Doughty, chapter managing director at Just Mortgages, added:

“I am thrilled to welcome Sandie as the new DSD for Orion. She brings a wealth of experience, a strong track record of success, and a passion for driving performance. I have no doubt that Sandie will be a fantastic addition to the team and play a key role in Orion’s continued growth and success.

“Metro has been growing from strength to strength under the stewardship of Andrew Lake and I know this will continue with Sandie’s skills and expertise. Andrew will now focus on supporting Sandie and our two other DSDs in the area, ensuring they are well equipped to attract, develop and retain the fantastic talent found in our region and within the successful employed division as a whole.”

The employed division at the Just Mortgages has more than 150 advisers in estate agency branches across the country. Alongside this, Just Mortgages has a growing self-employed division too, with nearly 500 advisers nationwide. Advisers in both divisions gain access to ongoing training and mentoring from an expert team of managers and trainers, as well as day-to-day support with sales, marketing and compliance.

Those interested in joining the Just Mortgages team can get in touch by visiting: https://www.justmortgages.co.uk/about-us/careers/