Harwell Finance Group, an independent mortgage and protection network for brokers, has launched.

Harwell specialises in all secured residential, commercial and later life lending, as well as personal and commercial lines protection.

Jonathan Harris, managing director of Forensic Property Finance, and Paul Stockwell, managing director of Bonaventure Finance, have set up the firm.

Harris and Stockwell have a combined 40 years’ experience of writing mortgages and working for both directly-authorised firms and as appointed representatives.

The firm provides brokers with infrastructure, integrated client management and sourcing systems designed for ease of use.

Brokers will also have access to knowledge forums and a full IT set up.

Harwell’s support package is designed so broker businesses can develop and grow in an ever-changing regulatory environment.

This includes membership of mortgage clubs, faster payment of lender fees, comprehensive compliance and supervisory services, learning and development and professional indemnity insurance, as well as protection opportunities or referral options for additional broker revenue.

Harris said: “We set up Harwell because we strongly believed there was a better way of accessing the market and transacting business.

“We felt the personal touch had been lost, while the combination of poorly-designed and over-complicated processes meant that the broker was made to feel like the least important cog in the wheel.”

Stockwell added: “Profit is not the sole driving factor behind our decision to launch a network. The overarching principle is to build a network of like-minded brokers who have a vehicle within which they can be successful.

“Essentially, we know what a broker needs and doesn’t need from a network and are providing a similar experience to working for an established firm but with the autonomy of running your own business.”