Frequently Asked Questions
About Brokerplan
Brokerplan Academy gives you the tools and support you need to launch your own commercial finance brokerage. The Academy is designed to take you step by step from business launch to a successful established business.
This includes FCA authorisation, training (including initial business launch and ongoing), access to systems, ongoing compliance support and marketing set-up (including logo design, website, business cards)
The company was founded in 2004 and operates from purpose built offices in Selby, North Yorkshire. The business has enjoyed sustained and profitable growth through offering a broad range of financial products and services to property professionals and SME business clients.
The Brokerplan Academy team are the Directors and employees of The White Rose Finance Group, a long-established standalone authorised and regulated finance broker who have held FCA Principal status since 2014 – Registration number 630772.
We welcome applications from companies and individuals from any business background, it is not necessary to have financial experience. We are looking to engage with like-minded people with passion and drive, and the desire to establish a successful business as a professional broker. All applicants must complete and pass our Fit & Proper process.
Applicants from current trading businesses and professional practices who wish to develop their financial services skills and generate additional income are also welcome to join the Academy. The Brokerplan programme is particularly suitable to existing professional brokers and advisors including Accountants, Business Advisors and Consultants, IFAs, Commercial Property Agents and Business Transfer Agents. The industry is regulated by the FCA and all Partners will need to be fully aware of and be fully compliant with the necessary FCA Regulatory requirements.
Brokerplan Academy is not a traditional franchise, there are no recurring franchise fees or management charges. The only ongoing costs are your monthly support fees and your NACFB membership cost. Your monthly support fee covers FCA fees and levies, compliance support, system licences, web hosting, professional indemnity cover and more.
You will operate on a protected/non-restrictive territory basis, whereby you are able to generate revenue across the UK, but we will not recruit under the same brand/product within your protected territory.
Thank you for your interest in the Brokerplan Programme, to proceed to the next stage, please contact the Business Development Team on 0333 405 6666 or email info@brokerplan.co.uk.
You can also register to attend one of our regular webinars and in-person events via our Upcoming Events page.
The Opportunity
As a member of the Brokerplan Academy you will be fully trained to advise on commercial products and services, a full list of these can be found here: Commercial Finance
You will also have the ability to refer clients who express interest in alternative products in return for a referral fee.
Get in touch today to discuss our current package cost. You can call us on 0333 405 6666 or email info@brokerplan.co.uk For further details you can book onto one of our Discovery webinars, please visit our upcoming events page for details.
For a breakdown of potential future earnings, please visit our Earning Potential page.
The comprehensive Business Support Package with telephone and online support is provided by our team of experienced Business Consultants and is available for the life of your business.
Daily Business Support to discuss new and ongoing cases is accessed via a local rate number or via e-mail and is available Monday to Thursday from 09:00am-5:00pm and 09:00am-4:30pm on Friday.
All enquiries and support requests will be acknowledged and actioned within a target response time based on our service level agreement (SLA).
At the business launch training we will share with you a broad range of proven business development and lead generation techniques, and share best practice from the most successful partners within our network.
We will also provide ongoing marketing, business development, lead generation and sales skills training and support either via our online modular training programme or via webinar.
Via the business intranet we will provide a range of essential tools to assist lead generation including marketing templates, introductory letters, templated presentations, e-newsletters, client case tracking software, guidance on e-mail marketing, social media support etc
Following the ‘credit crunch’, there remains a strong and growing demand for the professional services you will be offering. With the near collapse of a number of the UK’s major High street banks in 2008 and subsequent bail out by the Government, a major void has been left in the supply of reliable business finance, significantly impacting small business owners. In the UK there are over 5 million SMEs, many of whom do not satisfy the lending criteria of the High Street Banks yet still require funding.
Whilst the situation with the High street Banks has eased business clients are more likely to approach a broker for commercial finance advice than ever and with direct access to over 300 Lending Partners you will be well positioned to help. The Brokerplan team provide the necessary skills and practical support to ensure that you can quickly qualify and identify the right Lending Partners for your clients.
Training & Qualifications
Once you have completed your initial training course, you will embark on a supported journey to set up and launch your business.
Ongoing support includes business development, sales, marketing and lead generation skills, continuous professional development (CPD), 90 day plans, 12 month pathway programmes, access to sourcing systems, CRM, lender and provider webinars, live Q&A, network forums, annual conference, online modular training programmes and 1-2-1 mentorship and support.
Business launch training is held at our Head Office in Selby, North Yorkshire, over three days.
All delegate costs are included in the engagement fee, including two night’s hotel accommodation, lunches and a delegate’s meal on your first evening with us. Our administration team will be on hand to fully assist you with the travel and accommodation bookings as necessary.
For the next scheduled training course dates please contact our Business Development Team on 0333 405 6666, or take a look at our Upcoming Events page
Business Set-up
The Brokerplan Program can be successfully implemented from home. Efficient telecommunications and IT are essential to ensure that you can build and operate a Commercial Finance Broker business. We strongly recommend the following equipment and services are in place prior to commencement.
Home office space and secure storage
Efficient and reliable broadband installation.
Good quality laptop, tablet or personal computer
Good quality printer and copier
Professional commercial finance website with client enquiry data capture – Brokerplan provided
Registered web domain name – Brokerplan provided
Web site hosting package – Brokerplan provided
Business e-mail adress(es) – Brokerplan Provided
Office grade paper shredder for confidential document disposal
Web based case management system – Brokerplan provided
Fully automated E-Mail marketing platform – Brokerplan advised and supported
FCA authorisation is required to legally advise and act as a credit broker. See our FCA Compliance Support page for more details.
In addition, you will need to register your business with the Information Commissioners office (ICO) for Data Protection.
Some financial products are deemed to be ‘regulated’ by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and as such the advisor must have specific qualifications.
An example of this would be advice given to a client for a mortgage on their home property or an equity release product.
The Brokerplan business training will fully detail the regulations and ‘do’s and don’ts’ in this regard and demonstrate exactly how your business should be structured to deal with and still benefit from such ‘regulated‘ opportunities by simply referring to our in house team of regulated mortgage brokers for the client to receive the appropriate advice from one of our in-house a qualified Regulated Mortgage Advisor.
