Why More Brokers Are Going Self-Employed

The modern mortgage industry has changed.
Brokers no longer want:

• Long hours in corporate roles
licked
• Low commission splits
• High sales targets
• Office politics
• Limited earning potential

Instead, they choose self-employment because it offers:

• Flexibility
• Higher earnings
• Independence
• A better lifestyle
• Room to grow their personal brand

Networks that offer AI-driven tools, admin support and leads have made self-employment even more attractive.

The Benefits of Being a Self-Employed Mortgage Broker

Here is what brokers love the most:

1. You Control Your Own Income

There is no limit to how much you can earn.
Your income is directly tied to:

• How many clients you take on
• The quality of your network’s commission splits
• The leads and marketing support you receive
• How efficiently you work
• How strong your tech stack is

Self-employed brokers often earn more in 12 months than employed brokers earn in years.

2. You Decide When You Work

You choose:

• Your schedule
• Your working hours
• Your holidays
• Whether you work from home, office, or hybrid

Many advisers move to self-employment for lifestyle reasons.

3. Higher Commission Splits

Employment often gives you:

• Base salary
• Low commission
• Strict targets

Self-employed networks typically offer:

• Market-leading splits
• No caps
• No restrictive performance rules

Your earnings are yours.

4. No Joining Fees or Monthly Fees (Network Dependent)

Some networks charge:

• Network fees
• Compliance fees
• Admin fees
• Technology fees
• PI insurance fees

Others charge none, allowing brokers to keep most of their revenue.

Networks that offer no joining fee and no monthly fees instantly become more attractive and reduce risk, especially for new brokers.

5. You Get Full Back-Office Support (Depending on the Network)

Admin is the biggest pain point for brokers.
Good networks offer:

• Document checking
• Case packaging
• Application preparation
• Compliance admin
• Email support
• Chasing solicitors
• Chasing lenders
• Pipeline management

This saves brokers 20–30 hours per week, allowing them to focus on advising and earning.

6. Access to Industry-Leading Technology (MortgagX + MAT)

Self-employed brokers using powerful technology instantly outperform their competitors.
Tools like:

✔ MortgagX
Automates onboarding, open banking, credit, ID verification, and case management.

✔ Mortgage AI Toolkit (MAT)

• Draftly: auto-drafts your emails
• myCriteria: stops you from calling BDMs
• Colibri: AI meeting assistant + smart checklist
• Other AI tools that reduce admin massively

These tools help self-employed brokers work faster, reduce errors, and handle more clients.

7. Marketing Support Helps You Grow Faster

New brokers often lack:

• Social media skills
• Website visibility
• Newsletter templates
• Branding knowledge
• Lead funnels

Networks offering marketing support can help brokers grow their visibility quickly.

8. Leads Provided

This is one of the most valuable benefits.
Networks that generate leads:

• Give new advisers a fast start
• Help experienced brokers increase volume
• Build confidence
• Improve conversion rates
• Guarantee steady monthly cases

Not all networks provide leads — but the ones that do have a huge competitive advantage.

The Challenges of Being a Self-Employed Broker

Self-employment has many strengths, but it’s important to understand the reality.

1. No Guaranteed Salary

Your earnings depend on your effort, support system, and lead flow.
However, with good technology + marketing + network leads, most advisers start earning within the first 1–2 months.

2. You Have More Responsibility

You manage:

• Client communication
• Compliance (with support)
• Case preparation
• Time management
• Client relationships

With strong network training, these responsibilities become easier and more manageable.

3. You Must Stay Organised

With flexibility comes the need for:

• Good workflow management
• Planning your day
• Logging tasks
• Handling follow-ups

AI tools like Draftly and Colibri remove much of this pressure.

4. You Need to Build Your Reputation

Your brand becomes important:

• Online presence
• Local reputation
• Consistent visibility
• Customer reviews

Networks with marketing support help brokers massively here.

How Much Can a Self-Employed Mortgage Broker Earn?

This is one of the most common questions.
Here are realistic income ranges for self-employed brokers:

Income varies based on:

• Lead availability
• Conversion rates
• Network commission splits
• Admin support
• Efficiency
• Client bank
• Marketing

Self-employed brokers with leads + strong tech support often scale rapidly.

Who Is Self-Employment Best Suited For?

Self-employment is ideal for brokers who:

• Want high earnings
• Prefer flexible hours
• Want to work from home
• Enjoy building relationships
• Want long-term growth
• Are tired of corporate environments
• Want to build a personal brand
• Prefer independence

It’s especially suitable for:

• ✔ Newly qualified brokers looking for training
• ✔ Experienced brokers unhappy with their current network
• ✔ Brokers wanting more freedom and higher commission

The Role Your Network Plays in Your Success

The network you join determines:

• How quickly you earn
• How confident you become
• How smooth your workflow is
• How much admin you handle
• How many leads you receive
• How compliant you remain
• How fast you grow

Networks offering:

• No joining fees or monthly fees
• Free training and mentoring
• Full admin and back-office support
• Market-leading commission splits
• Industry-leading technology
• Marketing support
• Lead generation

…give brokers the strongest possible start and long-term future.

Final Thoughts

Being a self-employed mortgage broker is one of the most flexible, rewarding and financially promising career paths in the UK financial services industry.

With the right:

• Support
• Technology
• Training
• Marketing
• Compliance
• Lead flow

…brokers can build a scalable business, earn exceptional income, and enjoy a lifestyle of freedom and independence.

Self-employment isn’t just a job — it’s the opportunity to build something of your own.