AB Mortgages was founded by Ashley Bennett, a mortgage and property expert with over 20 years' experience, after he grew frustrated watching clients turned away or forced into ill-fitting deals by lenders that didn't take the time to understand them. Based in Benfleet, Essex, the team has grown since - but the approach hasn't: proper, specialist mortgage advice, plainly delivered, on the complex cases other brokers find too difficult
AB Mortgages was founded on a simple conviction: clients deserve more than a high-street calculator and a tick-box process. We opened our doors to give people genuine, tailored mortgage advice - guiding them through a complex lending market with clarity, honesty and confidence at every step.
As demand grew, so did our capability. We built out a team of specialists equipped to handle the cases the high street turns away - company directors, self-employed professionals, complex income structures and non-standard circumstances. No client left behind because they didn't fit a rigid lending box.
We put down roots in the heart of the community, opening our first high-street office in Benfleet, Essex. More than a base of operations, it gave clients a place to sit down face-to-face with their adviser - combining the accessibility of a local presence with the expertise of a specialist brokerage.
Recognising that ambitious clients and property professionals needed more than mainstream mortgages, we launched AB Specialist Finance (ABSF). This dedicated arm handles bridging, development finance, commercial, 2nd Charges and Business Loans - giving developers, landlords and investors access to bespoke funding solutions under one roof.
Today, AB Mortgages and AB Specialist Finance stand as a trusted, multi-specialist group. From a first-time buyer's first step to a multi-million-pound portfolio refinance, our commitment is unchanged: expert, bespoke advice, tailored to your circumstances. Every client. Every time.
Every client works directly with a real person who’s ready to listen, guide, and support them.
Ashley brings over 20 years of property expertise to AB Mortgages - and a track record few in the industry can match. Before founding the firm, he built and sold two successful estate agencies, giving him a rare, ground-level understanding of property that goes far beyond the mortgage itself. He doesn't just know lending; he knows the entire journey, from the first viewing to the keys in hand.
That depth is exactly why Ashley personally leads both sides of the business. Through AB Mortgages, he and his team guide clients through residential, buy-to-let, first-time buyer, remortgage and protection cases with clarity and confidence. Through AB Specialist Finance, he takes on the complex, high-value and bespoke work - bridging, development finance, limited company structures and high-net-worth lending - the cases that demand genuine expertise and a steady hand.
Ashley's philosophy is simple: every client, whatever their situation, deserves MD-level service. It's a standard he's built the entire firm around - combining sharp market knowledge, honest advice and a relentless focus on getting clients the right outcome, every time.
When he's not steering the business, Ashley is a dedicated family man who values time spent with his wife and children. A self-confessed petrolhead, he's always got an eye on his next toy - and there's nothing he enjoys more than escaping to Spain to relax and recharge whenever the opportunity arises.
Lisa's career began in London, where she spent 20 years as a Legal Secretary for several leading City law firms, working primarily within the real estate and banking & finance sectors. It's a background that gave her a sharp eye for detail and a deep understanding of the legal and financial machinery behind every property transaction - knowledge her clients quietly benefit from every day.
In 2020, Lisa decided to follow a long-held passion for the property and mortgage world. She earned her CeMAP qualification in 2021 and has been a fully qualified mortgage adviser ever since, finding her natural home in the first-time buyer and home-mover space - guiding people through what is so often one of the biggest decisions of their lives.
In 2026, Lisa expanded her expertise further, adding qualifications in Equity Release so she can now advise clients aged over 55 on later-life lending - an area she feels especially passionate about. Her approach is simple: reassuring, nurturing and hands-on, ensuring every client feels genuinely at ease from the first conversation to the final completion.
Outside of work, Lisa's world revolves around her husband and two teenage sons, and the family shares a real love of travelling together at every opportunity - with trips to Spain a particular favourite.
With over 15 years in property, Lee has seen the journey from every angle. He's worked across traditional high street agencies and online platforms, rising to Sales Manager at Strike - one of the UK's leading online estate agencies, which went on to acquire Purplebricks. That front-line experience at the cutting edge of the industry means he understands not just the numbers, but the real-life moments behind every move: the first home, the growing family, the next big step.
In 2022, Lee channelled that expertise into mortgages, earning his CeMAP qualification and bringing his client-first approach to the world of lending. For Lee, great advice isn't about jargon or pressure - it's about clarity, honesty, and making a complex process feel genuinely effortless. Clients consistently describe working with him as reassuring, straightforward, and refreshingly human.
When he's not helping clients secure their next mortgage, Lee is kept busy by his young family - and you'll usually find him watching football whenever the chance arises, whatever the league.
Complete our 60-second Quick Quote to provide your basic requirements and trigger our AI-powered eligibility engine.
Your dedicated specialist reviews your case, navigating complex income or credit hurdles to secure a 3-hour Agreement in Principle (AIP).
We manage the entire application through to offer, providing a fixed-fee service that keeps you moving toward your move-in date.
Bespoke structures for high-value assets and non-standard income streams.
Specialist mortgage advice tailored to company directors and the self-employed.
.webp)
Fast-tracked capital for property developers and professional investors.
Typical offers land within 2 to 4 weeks of application on straightforward cases, and we've placed urgent cases significantly faster where lenders and valuations align. We'll give you a realistic timeline on the first call rather than an optimistic one you'll have to forget later.
Yes. Self-employed directors, contractors, CIS workers, dividend-heavy earners and clients with international income all sit well within our expertise. We use lenders who consider retained profits, day rates and bonus income properly, rather than the narrow PAYE-focused calculators on the high street.
A fixed fee of £499 applies on standard residential cases, payable on issuance of the mortgage offer. For more complex cases, £249 is due on application with the balance on offer, and higher fees may apply on bespoke adverse or high-value cases. The fee is always agreed with you in writing before any advice is given.
Commercial and development finance is handled by our sister firm, AB Specialist Finance (ABSF), which holds the specific regulatory permissions for non-regulated lending. Same office, same team, different panel. You can read more on our Commercial / Bridging page or enquire directly with ABSF.
Not at all. CCJs, defaults, IVAs, DMPs and discharged bankruptcy are all placeable with the right specialist lender. We run soft searches first to protect your credit file, and only apply where we're confident of approval. A perfect score helps, but a clear explanation and the right lender matters more.
Complete our 60-second digital brief to secure your Agreement in Principle.
Looking for personalised advice....
Leave your details below and one of our advisers will be in touch to discuss your options.
See our Just In Time Policy
A commitment to regulation, professional development, and the highest standards of client protection within the specialist lending market.
