Just Mortgages promotes Tara Panayi to divisional sales director
Just Mortgages, one of the UK’s largest mortgage brokerages, has announced the promotion of successful mortgage manager Tara Panayi to the role of divisional sales director.
In her new role, Tara will leverage her expertise and experience to oversee and support both new and existing advisers in her region. Collaborating with the financial services directors and the senior management team, Tara will focus on growing the employed division, handling recruitment, development, and providing day-to-day support as needed.
She will work closely with advisers in Darlows estate agency branches across Cardiff, South Wales, and the wider region. She takes over the position from Gareth Lowndes, who was recently promoted to sales director of Just Mortgages’ growing client services division.
Tara ranks among the top-performing advisers within Just Mortgages’ extensive network of over 650 advisers nationwide. Over the past four years, she has consistently generated more than £200,000 annually, placing her in the top five brokers in the company. As a result, she was promoted to mortgage manager in March 2024.
Before joining Just Mortgages in 2011, Tara spent over three years with Principality Building Society.
Speaking about her new position, Tara Panayi, said: “I’m thrilled to be stepping into this new role at Just Mortgages and to have the chance to collaborate with our talented advisers across the region. I am deeply passionate about providing well-informed advice and helping every client achieve their goals. Through this role, I hope to use knowledge and experience to not just support our advisers to reach their potential, but to increase our headcount and highlight the opportunities available through Just Mortgages.”
John Phillips, CEO at Just Mortgages and Spicerhaart, added: “Tara exemplifies the exceptional talent we have at Just Mortgages and is a fantastic example of what people can achieve here. Her extensive experience and successful track record will be invaluable to our team and to new brokers joining us.
“Regardless of whether it is our employed or self-employed division, we are committed to equipping our advisers with the necessary skills, tools, and support to maximise their potential. Our leadership and management teams bring together a wealth of real-world experience and demonstrate our dedication to rewarding hard work and recognising talent. As our business continues to expand, we will keep investing in our team and future managers to ensure our advisers and the company are poised for success.”
In addition to external appointments, Just Mortgages hosts its national academy programme, which support four cohorts per year to become fully qualified mortgage and protection advisers. Due to high demand, each academy cohort is selected from up to a thousand applicants. Upon completion, advisers join brokerages where they receive ongoing training, mentoring, and support throughout their careers with Just Mortgages.
Once established, advisers have the opportunity to move into management within the employed division or to join the self-employed division and run their own business. As part of its 650 advisers nationwide, Just Mortgages is rapidly approaching the milestone of 500 self-employed advisers, encompassing those operating under the Just Mortgages banner as well as those under their own names or trading styles.