Meet the Team

Your Dream Team

You’ll be assigned your own dedicated adviser and support staff, which we like to call your ‘dream team’ – they’ll take the worry and stress away so you can sleep easy at night and focus on the fun part; moving into the house you’ve always dreamed of.

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Julie Gilbert

Business Owner, Mortgage & Insurance Adviser

“The Gaffer”

A Mortgage & Insurance Adviser since 1998, Julie is the owner & founder of 1st Mortgage Services. Fuelled by coffee and an insatiable passion for helping clients’ wellbeing throughout their lives, she created this business from scratch. Julie does nothing by halves and always has a million plates spinning. A knowledgeable adviser, ambitious entrepreneur and mummy of two, she’s built up a loyal client base and a dynamic business with people at its heart.

Julie’s a Yorkshire lass through and through. She’s proud to provide a professional and supportive ﬁnancial service without the airs and graces. No jargon; just straight talking, efﬁcient, friendly advice provided by a team of people who are fantastic at what they do.

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Will Shackleton

Senior Business Executive

Easingwold and Thirsk Branch

“The Jedi Knight”

Will joined the team in 2019 and supports new clients coming into the business. Advising on Mortgages and Insurance, Will has a wealth of knowledge on lenders’ criteria and is passionate about helping people achieve their ﬁnancial goals.

Ever the practical joker and a real softie (don‘t tell him you know!), you’re in safe hands with our Will. He’s a master at translating his extensive knowledge of ﬁnancial processes and language into accessible info and updates, making your journey with us go quickly and smoothly. He’s so efﬁcient you’d be forgiven for thinking there are other forces at play – the truth is his trusty cocker spaniels, Obi and Wookiee are never too far from his side.

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Lindsay Stones

Mortgage and Insurance Adviser

Preston Branch

“The Mediator”

Lindsay has been an adviser for over 30 years and has a wealth of industry knowledge. Having amassed extensive experience in the sector, in 2005 she took on her own business and built up a fabulous bunch of clients in the Preston area. In January 2022 she made the exciting step to bring her team into the 1st Mortgage Services family and we are so pleased to have them on board!

Having been interested in holistic therapies for many years, she has obtained a first class BSc (Hons) in Counselling and Psychotherapy in her spare time. With her intuitive, friendly approach, she really does take the stress out of buying a house!

Jen Knowlson

Mortgage and Insurance Adviser

York, Harrogate and Ripon

"The Mortgage Matchmaker"

Jen has been a trusted adviser since 2019, bringing with her a deep reservoir of industry knowledge and friendly expertise.

She has worked extensively and built a strong reputation in and around North Yorkshire and her local knowledge is truly invaluable. Her recent move to the 1st Mortgage Services family is an exciting new chapter for all of us, and we couldn’t be happier to have her formidable skills on our team!

With Jen’s signature enthusiastic and energetic approach, she doesn’t just manage the mortgage process, she cuts through the complexity, ensuring that the entire journey is seamless and stress-free for her clients.

When not working, you’ll usually find her on the netball court, burning off some of that impressive energy—proof that she’s always ready to play hard and win big for her team (and her clients!).

Kim Story

Head Paraplanner to Julie and Compliance Manager to Pamela

“Julie’s Right Hand Woman”

Wearer of many hats, Kim juggles paraplanning, administration, training and all round support of the business, not to mention being a superstar mum of two.

The ﬁrst employee Julie took on in 2015, Kim is part of the foundations of 1st Mortgage Services. Truly unﬂappable, this paraplanner is as cool as a cucumber at all times, has superhuman organisational skills and, having amassed the equivalent experience of an adviser over her time here, she really knows her stuff.

Karen Phillips

Administrator to Julie, Pamela and Will

“The Ray of Sunshine”

The most glass-half-full person you’ll ever meet, Karen’s zest for life is infectious. She joined the team in 2020, bringing with her bags of experience in the financial sector, having previously managed a bank and helped clients with a wide range of needs.

She now looks after the daily administration of the business, which includes liaising with Lenders, Solicitors, Estate Agents & Insurance Companies and keeping you, our lovely clients updated throughout your journey with us. The oracle of anything you need to know about Thirsk and the surrounding area, Karen also loves to travel in her spare time – if she’s not jetting off for a cruise on the Med or visiting her son in Austria, she’s planning her next exciting trip.

Lisa Foster

Mortgage Administrator and Paraplanner

"The Adventurer"

Lisa joined the team in June 2025. She is a mum of two fantastic girls, and while they’re her greatest adventure, she’s no stranger to a little danger. This self-proclaimed “girly girl” loves a good chick flick, but she’s also a straight talker with a no-nonsense attitude.

She’s tackled the Panama Canal and even cage-dived with great white sharks in South Africa. In the summer, you’ll find her pounding the pavement, running to keep fit and clear her head. She’s a testament to the fact that you can be a loving mum, a dedicated athlete, and a fearless adventurer all at once!

What our clients are saying

Julie and her team were recommended by friends of ours who had previously used their services. They couldn't speak highly enough about them, and now we can see why. Julie was very helpful, professional and efficient throughout the whole process. Nothing was ever an issue, everything was so easy and went so smoothly. They went above and beyond, taking the stress out of the whole process of remortgaging, from finding us the best deal on the market right through to dealing with all the relevant paperwork. We cannot recommend this company enough extremely helpful and personal.

Purchaser 2024

We've consistently received excellent service from 1st Mortgage Services over the years. Lindsay has been our go-to person for two house purchases and several mortgage renewals, and she's always friendly, approachable, and genuinely helpful. She's incredibly knowledgeable and takes the time to understand our specific needs, making sure we get mortgage products and financial services that truly work for us. What really sets them apart is the ongoing support—with regular checks in and helpful reminders so nothing falls through the cracks. We trust Lindsay (of 1st Mortgage Services) completely with our financial decisions, and it's reassuring to know we can reach out whenever we have questions or need assistance.

Luke Parker 2026

Will and the team at 1st Mortgage Services are a dream to deal with. Selling our homes and moving in together was a huge drawn out process over 18 months and it involved buyers dropping out and being gazumped. Will was immedatly available to help at every step of the way, offering clear advise and he's a pleasure to communicate with. When we finally found our home, the back office team kept us updated with the lender and communicated through to completion. Don't bother going elsewhere.

Simon Forster February 2026

I highly recommend Julie and the team at 1st Mortgage Services - they are superb. Julie was able to secure us a great mortgage deal at a time where it seemed like it would be impossible to get one. She made the whole thing seem so easy and is just an all round lovely, friendly and helpful person. We’ve just come around to remortgaging and it’s been a very stress-free and easy experience too and so much easier than I expected. I cannot recommend them highly enough.

Amy Hare May 2026

Outstanding Service Every Time – Highly Recommend Will Shackleton at 1st Mortgage Services I've worked with Will at 1st Mortgage Services multiple times now, and I can confidently say he is the best mortgage broker I've ever dealt with. His professionalism, clarity, and responsiveness are second to none. Will is always available when I need him, quick to respond to any questions, and consistently provides clear, helpful explanations that make the entire process smooth and stress-free.

Charles Mills 2025

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I’ve been using 1st Mortgage Services for over six years, and each experience has been nothing short of fantastic. Julie and Kim are incredible—they are always on hand to help and provide regular updates throughout the process. Their communication is prompt, and they consistently respond quickly to any queries. One of the best aspects of working with 1st Mortgage Services is how much stress they take out of the process. They actively follow up with solicitors and ensure everything stays on track. I highly recommend 1st Mortgage Services to anyone looking for reliable, efficient, and friendly service. Julie, Kim and the rest of the team truly go above and beyond!

Ryan Beggs- Reid March 2026

Lindsay and Karen were amazing and made the process feel less stressful. They were also super easy to get hold of and kept us updated throughout. Would highly recommend!

Amber Hardman May 2026

From start to finish in our mortgage search Jen was extremely helpful, explained everything in language we could understand, and made us feel very comfortable and at ease with the process. Thanks for all your help Jen. We can highly recommend you for the work you have done on our behalf.

Chris Lee 2026

Thank you so much Julie for a truly exceptional service securing the rates for me in these trying times excellent service keeping me informed throughout making the process stress free

Michael Berry April 2026

This is the second property I have bought with the support from Jen, she is fantastic at her job and I couldn’t recommend her any higher. Jen and everyone at 1st mortgage services was supportive, knowledgeable and have clear passion for what they do. Thank you again Jen!

Amy Stephenson May 2026

Joe Devlin May 2026

I have been an IFA for 31 years and I always did a business mix of both mortgages and wealth management , however having to re-assess my business in the Summer of 2022 and with our Mortgage adviser leaving the industry at the same time, I decided to look at a mortgage exit strategy , as I decided to scale back the business, and refer mortgages to a third party. I contacted several mortgage brokers and by far the best proposition was Julie and 1st Mortgage Services in Thirsk. Having worked with Julie for several years I knew she was incredibly professional and would be a natural choice for me to refer to my mortgage clients. Fast forward 8 months and I can not fault the service received by myself and my Clients have received. Contact is made with Clients within 24 hours maximum and I receive regular feedback regarding all referrals. I have been so pleased with the service from 1st Mortgage Services I have no intention of reverting back to offering mortgage advice either now or in the future.

Mark Walker

I can’t recommend 1st Mortgage Services highly enough. When renewing my mortgage, they were incredibly helpful from start to finish. Communication was excellent throughout the entire process, and the advice I received was clear, honest, and genuinely brilliant. A special thank you to Will, Karen, and Lisa, who all went above and beyond to make everything straightforward and stress-free. Their professionalism, responsiveness, and willingness to help really stood out. It made what could have been a daunting process feel easy and reassuring. I wouldn’t hesitate to use 1st Mortgage Services again and would strongly recommend them to anyone looking for expert mortgage advice and outstanding customer service.

Tom Bunn May 2026

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Benefits of Being With the Business

Considering succession planning can be overwhelming, especially when trying to navigate industry compliance and changes. However, I found a solution that not only alleviated these concerns but also offered valuable support for my clients.

By meeting with Julie Gilbert at First Mortgage Services, I discovered the advantages of fully onboarding with them. They provide access to additional resources, such as an administrator and regular sales meetings. This support allowed me to not only continue advising my clients but also have more time for my family.

When the time comes for succession planning, I can make the decision to continue advising without feeling pressured or rushed.

If you're in need of succession planning or considering onboarding, I highly recommend First Mortgage Services. They have the expertise and support to make the transition seamless and beneficial for all parties involved.

Lindsay Stones

Mortgage and Insurance Adviser

1st Mortgage Services is a lovely place to operate under as a mortgage and protection intermediary. They have a positive and forward-thinking attitude and a great team around you to support all aspects of the job.

I have personally gained a vast amount of experience from my time with the company and have benefited greatly from the shared experience of the whole team. The support of the marketing and paraplanning departments helps greatly with managing workload while ensuring industry standards are adhered to.

The team were all very welcoming and I have always felt at home since joining. It really makes a difference to have that positive working environment with other individuals and to feel part of a team, and 1st Mortgage Services has always had that for me.

Chris Skipper

Mortgage and Insurance Adviser

Since joining 1st Mortgage Services, I have felt a level of support in growing my business I have not had before. Julie constantly thinks of new ways to generate business, keep engaged with local business’ and promotes the company in various different ways so we are never really out of people sight.

The recent regulatory changes haven’t been a challenge as the support we get from our colleagues, in admin and para planning are fantastic. So we are always on top of our cases and clients constantly kept up to date. This just means everyone who steps foot through our door gets the best possible service in all areas of the advice process from start to finish.

Will Shackleton

Senior Mortgage and Insurance Adviser

Speak to Us

We specialise in finding suitable mortgages for our clients from a curated list of over 65 lenders. We’ve done the hard work – we’ve already built fantastic relationships with these lenders, so you don’t have to. Our service is completely tailored to fit your requirements. We cater for most parts of the mortgage market and clients nationwide.

To inquire about succession planning or onboarding, reach out to us by email or phone.

Mortgages

Insurance

Moving Home Advice

Areas We Cover

Meet the Team

Your Dream Team

Julie Gilbert

Will Shackleton

Lindsay Stones

Jen Knowlson

Kim Story

Karen Phillips

Lisa Foster

What our clients are saying

Benefits of Being With the Business

Speak to Us

Experiencing Financial Difficulty?

Complaints Procedure

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