From learning the mortgage industry from scratch to becoming an award-recognised paraplanner in just 18 months, Alina Baquari's journey reflects great dedication and hard work.

When people think about getting a mortgage, they often picture the adviser who finds the right mortgage for them. But behind every successful mortgage application is a dedicated administration team, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep everything on track.

Our administrators and paraplanners play a vital role in delivering the exceptional service our clients have come to expect. They are the engine room of the business – liaising with lenders, checking complex criteria, preparing cases, managing paperwork and ensuring every application progresses as smoothly as possible.

One of those paraplanners is Alina, who joined MB Associates just 18 months ago with no previous experience in the mortgage industry and was recently nominated by her firm for the Paraplanner of the Year in the Financial Reporter Women's Recognition Awards. Through hard work, determination, and a passion for learning, she has quickly become an invaluable member of the team, supporting two of our senior mortgage advisers with their demanding workloads while delivering outstanding service to hundreds of clients.

For Alina, no two days are the same. ‘The mortgage industry is always changing, often at short notice due to unexpected world events,’ she says. ‘I enjoy the challenge because there's always something new to learn. It means we have to react quickly to market changes, and that's where being organised and paying close attention to detail really matters.’

Those organisational skills are essential when managing multiple cases at different stages, particularly when clients are facing tight deadlines or complex circumstances.

Every client is unique

What motivates Alina most is the people she helps. ‘Every client has their own unique story,’ she says. ‘I appreciate the trust they place in us, and I want to make the mortgage process as stress-free as possible. I always explain things in layman’s terms so that clients understand every step of the journey. Nobody wants to feel left in the dark, especially when making one of the biggest financial decisions of their life.’

Alina particularly enjoys helping clients whose circumstances may be more complicated. ‘I love taking on cases that are difficult to place. I'm willing to put in the time to speak to lenders, research criteria, and find a solution. There's no better feeling than helping someone secure a mortgage when they thought homeownership wasn't possible.’

Alina also believes that strong personal relationships remain at the heart of great customer service. 'In an age of technology and AI, nothing can replace the human connection. Our clients aren't just with us for one mortgage – we build relationships that can last for many years.’

Outstanding initiative

MB Associates' Founder and Managing Director, Monica Bradley, has been delighted to see Alina's development, and has recently awarded her the MB Associates' Employee Dedication and Excellence Award. This award recognises Alina's exceptional dedication and commitment to delivering outstanding service.

‘Alina consistently demonstrates great initiative, drive and the ability to accomplish an exceptional volume of high-quality work', says Monica. ‘Driven, self-motivated and enthusiastic, she approaches every task with positivity and composure. I'm continually impressed by her work ethic and by how efficiently she delivers results – never rushing but always achieving excellence.’

While Alina's achievements deserve recognition, she is part of a much wider team whose hard work is fundamental to MB Associates' success. We are incredibly proud of our experienced administration team, including long-serving team members Peggy Falconer, Lesley Pope and Helen Lindfield, fellow Paraplanner Ben King, and office manager Kirsty Lambert. Their knowledge, dedication and commitment ensure our advisers can focus on providing expert advice while clients receive the outstanding service they deserve from start to finish.