Gerri Riddiough of Financial Bliss

We sat down with Gerri Riddiough, Managing Director of Financial Bliss, pictured here with the Sales Director Calum, to find out her industry predictions, what advice the company provides and why she doesn’t mind meeting her customers in Tesco...

1) Firstly, what exactly does Financial Bliss do? 

Financial Bliss provide Mortgage Advice, Debt Advice, make recommendations on insurances, wills and generally seek to put our clients in the strongest possible financial position.

2) It’s an interesting company name, what inspired you to choose it?

We think Financial Bliss is what everybody wants. We all want to not worry about money, not worry about debt, not be left in the lurch should a loved one die. Financial security is very important. Sometimes it’s difficult to know where to turn to get the best advice. Financial Bliss was created as somewhere for people to go in order to get the very best advice for a fair price. Our whole ethos is that the customer comes first.

 3) How long have you worked at Financial Bliss and what did you do before?

 I set Financial Bliss up in January as a trading style. Prior to that I was trading with other companies ‘hats on’ and people found it confusing.  

I’ve been in financial services since I was 19. I spent just short of ten years at the Halifax and worked through the different roles, from being a cashier to a mortgage advisor. After that I spent almost 2 years in an Estate Agents advising on mortgages mostly for new purchases.

From 2006-2008 I worked for a mortgage distribution company – Mortgage Next and this involved going to see Mortgage Brokers. It was at this time that I was introduced to debt solutions. When the credit crunch hit I began working for EuroDebt. I had worked introducing them to brokers whilst at Mortgage Next. We worked with 3 other companies before EuroDebt who consistently let us down.

 4) What is the best and what is the worst thing about your job?

 I think the best thing is speaking to customers a year after I’ve helped them. I bumped into a customer in a local Tesco and she came over to say hello. Knowing that they have received fantastic service is of the upmost importance to me.  

The worst part of the job is that financial services has a negative reputation. It can be very difficult to let customers know who we are, what we do and that we do it ethically.

 5) What characteristics would mean that someone qualifies for help from your company – could you give an example of a typical individual who used your services? 

The company was set up to be able to help anybody at all. From finding a debt solution – from what may seem an impossible situation, a solution can be found. It could also be someone wanting to buy their dream home in the UK or abroad. 

 6) How straightforward is the procedure?

 Very – we always do home visits and make our procedures as easy as they can be.

 7) What do you predict happening in the debt management sector over the next 12 months? 

There will be a much greater demand for debt advice than we have seen historically. Thankfully with the OFT debt management guidance review customers will receive a more comprehensive service. 

8) How do brokers benefit from telling their clients about your company?

 Brokers that don’t offer a service for customers in debt can refer to us safe in the knowledge that we will provide a solution and help them move forward. We do not cross sell to brokers’ clients.

 9) What tips do you have for consumers likely to struggle with debt (with regard to minimising their monthly costs)?

 Simply to take advice sooner rather than later. People can often go to great lengths and great sacrifices and a professional can step in and help.

10)              If you weren’t working at Financial Bliss what would you be doing?

I genuinely don’t know as this is my dream job. I would probably be back working for a company, mortgage advising and not being able to help people that need a service that wasn’t available.