Business Details
23 Years
experience
Expert Mortgage Brokers in Hassocks
Established in 2003, Mortgage & Lending Solutions has built a reputation for delivering expert mortgage and lending advice tailored to individual client needs. Our team of seasoned professionals combines decades of financial services experience with a commitment to personalized service, ensuring clients receive solutions that align precisely with their circumstances. We specialise in both residential and commercial mortgage arrangements, including complex cases involving self-employed income, portfolio landlords, and development finance. Our approach prioritises transparency, diligence, and long-term client relationships, evidenced by the majority of our new business stemming from referrals. As an Appointed Representative of Mortgage Next Network Limited, regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority, we adhere to rigorous compliance standards while maintaining the flexibility to offer unregulated commercial mortgage advice when required.Our team's expertise extends to protection planning, insurance, and equity release, supported by a dedicated administrative and compliance infrastructure. With offices in Ditchling and Brighton, we serve clients across the South East, combining local market knowledge with national regulatory oversight. Our client-centric philosophy ensures that every interaction focuses on achieving tangible outcomes, whether securing a first home, refinancing an investment property, or structuring complex financing solutions. Continuous professional development and a collaborative team environment enable us to adapt to evolving market conditions while maintaining our founding principles of integrity and client advocacy.
Services
Personal Mortgages
Bridging Finance
Buy to Let
Commercial Borrowing
Mortgage Protection
Development Finance
Equity Release
Portfolio Landlords
Details
- Year established: 2003
Highlights and features
- We offer 20+ years' experience in complex mortgage scenarios including self-employed income structures
- Our team includes FCA-certified advisors with specialist knowledge of unregulated commercial lending
- Personalised service evidenced by 80% of new clients coming via client referrals
- We maintain compliance through Mortgage Next Network Limited's FCA-authorised framework
- Dedicated protection planning services integrated with mortgage advice for holistic financial solutions
Associations and certifications
- Financial Conduct Authority (FCA)
What people say
Excellent communication
Honest advice
Relentless hard work
Complex case handling
Personalised service
Services
Personal Mortgages
We provide comprehensive residential mortgage solutions for first-time buyers and home movers. Our FCA-regulated advisors assess individual circumstances to secure competitive rates for standard and complex cases. Services include purchase mortgages, remortgaging, and secured loans through third-party specialists.
Buy to Let
Specialist financing for property investors, including portfolio landlords and limited company structures. We offer regulated and unregulated options with access to exclusive lender products. Our team provides cashflow analysis and portfolio management strategies for buy-to-let investors.
Commercial Borrowing
Tailored financing solutions for business property needs, including development finance and bridging loans. Our unregulated commercial mortgage advice covers complex transactions with access to specialist lenders. We support limited companies and LLP structures with bespoke funding arrangements.
Mortgage Protection
Integrated protection planning to safeguard mortgage commitments against life events. Services include life cover, critical illness insurance, and income protection policies. Our advisors ensure appropriate coverage levels aligned with mortgage terms and personal circumstances.
Development Finance
Specialist financing for property development projects, including residential and commercial schemes. We connect clients with lenders offering short-term funding solutions for renovations, conversions, and new builds. Our expertise covers complex financing structures for developers and investors.
People
Leicsa Plowman
Director
With 30 years' experience in financial services, Leicsa founded Mortgage & Lending Solutions in 2003. She specialises in mortgage advice and leads a team committed to personalised service. Her career includes senior roles at AXA Assurance across mortgage consultancy and training.
Robert Grice
Associate Director
Robert brings 20+ years' mortgage industry experience, returning to M&LS in 2006 after gaining broader market expertise. He focuses on tailored advice and customer service excellence, combining technical knowledge with a personable approach to client relationships.
Nigel Broad
Mortgage & Protection Advisor
Nigel has nearly two decades of mortgage advisory experience, specialising in complex income structures for self-employed clients. He joined M&LS in 2014 after working with boutique estate agents, maintaining a client-focused approach to residential and buy-to-let lending.
Jo Whittaker
Mortgage Adviser
Jo transitioned to mortgage advice after 30 years in banking, qualifying in 2003. She specialises in helping first-time buyers and remortgaging clients, combining technical expertise with a passion for supporting clients' homeownership goals through tailored solutions.
Carole Olley
Life Protection Adviser
With 28 years' experience in life insurance, Carole provides protection planning services. Her background includes underwriting and customer service roles at major financial institutions, focusing on helping clients understand risk exposures and implement appropriate protection strategies.
Questions
What mortgage services do you offer?
We provide residential mortgages, buy-to-let financing, commercial borrowing, bridging loans, and development finance. Our services also include mortgage protection planning and equity release solutions.
Are your mortgage advisors regulated?
Yes, our mortgage advice is regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority through our association with Mortgage Next Network Limited. Commercial mortgage advice remains unregulated.
How do you handle complex financial situations?
Our team specialises in complex cases including self-employed income verification, portfolio landlord financing, and limited company structures. We work with specialist lenders to find appropriate solutions for non-standard scenarios.
Can you assist with first-time buyer mortgages?
Yes, we have extensive experience helping first-time buyers navigate the mortgage process. Our advisors provide clear guidance on available schemes and help secure competitive rates for new homeowners.
What areas do you cover?
We operate from offices in Hassocks and Brighton, serving clients across the South East. Our services extend to Sussex, Surrey, Kent, and London through our network of lender relationships.
How do you handle client complaints?
We aim to resolve issues promptly through direct communication. If unresolved, complaints can be referred to the Financial Ombudsman Service for independent review of regulated services.
Reviews (5)
Bloggles
Jan 06, 2021
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We've used this company to remortgage 3 times now and they are absolutely brilliant. Apart from saving us a lot of money finding the right mortgage, the service is friendly and personal. They've also found much better mortgages for the friends we recommend them too.
Tom Trott
Mar 24, 2020
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A great service from the team. They are helpful from start to finish and truly work to do what's best for you.
John Laurie
Dec 02, 2019
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We have just bought our first property and arranged our mortgage with Robbie Grice at Mortgage and Lending Solutions. I cannot thank Robbie and his team enough for the care and attention they gave us throughout. Everything was explained perfectly to us naive newbies and we felt supported throughout. Despite a very protracted conveyance Robbie remained in touch throughout, gave advice and kept us calm. They even renegotiated a second mortgage when it was noticed there was a better deal after the delay. Can not recommend them highly enough.
Terry Mole
Jun 13, 2019
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A development company requires access to a wide variety of lending products to successfully navigate a deal to fruition. That's why we've been delighted that for over ten years, MLS have consistently sourced the best, open market non-biased lending products for each of our situations - finding the best rate, lender and package, and ALWAYS with the end-goal in mind. If you require a highly responsive and professional service, delivered in a jargon-free and personable manner, then you need look no further than this firm. Entirely recommended. Thank you MLS.
Andrew Surrey
Apr 03, 2019
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Great service from the whole team. Thank you to Michael and the rest of the team for securing our mortgage. You have made the whole process pretty painless and we felt comfortable the whole way through that you were professionally managing the process. Great service. Highly recommend.
