The Elmbank Team
Sara Barker BSc (Hons)
Director and Founder
Sara started in Financial Services in 1994 dealing with Pensions and Investments then choosing to specialise in Mortgages in 2000 working alongside another broker.
She then set up Elmbank in 2009 and was based in Reading, Berkshire but relocated the offices to Yateley in Hampshire in 2019.
Sara is our Mortgage expert and has access to the Whole of the Market and finds the most suitable product for your situation.
Why are we called Elmbank? Elmbank is the name of Sara’s parent’s first house.
Fun fact about Sara: She did Fencing at University and has a Yacht Master qualification in Sailing.
Helen Anstey
Case Manager
Helen started at Elmbank in 2011 coming from a background in Banking and Occupational Health.
Her role here is, once your mortgage application has been submitted she manages the progress of your case with lenders to ensure they have all the relevant documents and that the survey is booked in so the mortgage offer can be issued as swiftly as possible.
She will also liaise with estate agents where necessary and will keep you updated every step of the way.
Fun fact about Helen: She is a bit of a thrill seeker, having ridden around the Velodrome and gone up in a hot air balloon, her next adventure is going on the longest and fastest Zip line
James Mulder
Mortgage Adviser
Coming from an estate agency background, James completed his CeMAP exams in 2023 and then joined Elmbank in April 2024, James now looks after an estate agent in Reading.
His role here as a Mortgage Adviser means he can access the mortgage market to find the most suitable product for your situation.
Many of James’ clients are portfolio landlords so he is the best person to speak to regarding Buy-to-let mortgages.
Fun fact about James is he loves economics and anything finance, all starting from his studies in Accounting and Economics in sixth form.
Tracy Ryan, Ba (Hons)
Protection and General Insurance Adviser
Tracy started at Elmbank in 2016 as an administrator and comes from a background in Operational Management and Human Resources.
Her role here is to find tailor made policies to suit your needs and budget covering life, critical illness cover and income protection along with buildings and contents insurance.
At Elmbank we not only want to help you with your mortgage, we also want to ensure that you and your family can continue to live in your home should the worst happen.
Fun fact about Tracy: She did Irish Dancing until she was 16 and is always the first person on the dancefloor at parties.
Siobhan Freeman, Ba (Hons)
Completions Co-ordinator & Home Insurance Adviser
Siobhan started at Elmbank in 2022 and she comes from a background in creative and administrative roles.
Her role here is, once your mortgage offer has been issued, she manages progress with the solicitors to ensure everything is on track for completion and ensures we have a review on our system for when the rate is due to end.
She is also here to advise on your Home insurance needs.
Fun fact about Siobhan: She wants to visit all the Disney parks around the world, and even was proposed to outside the Castle in Disneyland Paris.
Mackenzie Steel
Administration Assistant and Social Media Creator
Mackenzie is the newest member of Elmbank starting here in September 2024, she previously comes from a background in Dog grooming.
Her role here is, she supports the team with general admin and manages all our Social Media.
Fun fact about Mackenzie: She studied art in school and continues to explore her passion for painting portraits in her spare time.
Customer Reviews
L Sheedy
Reading
Sara and her team have been helping us with our mortgage advice for over 20 years and now continuing with our children! Always extremely professional, friendly and willing to help. Can’t say enough good things about this fantastic company and wouldn’t hesitate to highly recommend them.
G C Sharma
Reading
I have known Sara since 2010 - helping me with my 2nd house move recently in 2023 - from start to finish Sara and her team have been outstanding to say the least, I am running out of superlatives to describe Sara and the great work she has done - amazing woman! The 5 star rating above should be doubled to ten stars at least!, It’s been a great journey since 2010 - and Sara and her great team made things ever so easy, top class communication and handled all queries with great expertise - me and my family are very happy with the service provided!
C Emmerick
Reading
Dear Sara and team at Elmbank Mortgages Ltd,
I can’t thank you enough for helping myself and my Uncle in our search for a Guarantor Mortgage.
Direct approaches to my bank and building society with whom I had been a customer for years came to nothing, but with your assistance in what felt like minutes I had three offers from other reputable banking organisations.
You were there for us all the way from Offer in Principle to completion.
I would sincerely recommend your services and will be in touch when my Mortgage, as well as, House Insurance and Critical Illness cover comes up for renewal.
Much Appreciated