Latoya Southwell

Getting the keys to your new home is only part of the story. Making sure you can actually keep them, no matter what life throws at you, matters just as much.

As the Co-Founder and Director of The Fee Free Mortgage Broker and Alexander Southwell Mortgages, my role goes far beyond arranging property finance. I am the protection specialist for the business, which means my absolute passion is making sure families have the right financial safety net in place.

I live and work alongside my partner, Jamie, near North Baddesley and Romsey on the outskirts of Southampton. I started my career as an estate agent at Connells, learning the home buying journey from the ground up and supporting clients through one of the most exciting and nerve wracking processes of their lives.

From there, I moved deeper into financial services, joining Re-Assured as a specialist insurance broker. Working in a dedicated protection environment gave me an expert level understanding of life insurance, critical illness cover, and income protection. It taught me how to have honest, comfortable conversations with families about the things they would rather not think about, but absolutely should.

In 2019, I brought that expertise to our family business. Together, Jamie and I have grown a local, independent brokerage that genuinely looks after clients for the long term.

Why protection matters to me

Taking on the biggest financial commitment of your life without a plan for what happens if your income stops is a risk no family should take.

My belief in this comes from more than professional experience. As a mother, I understand instinctively what it means to want to protect the people you love. That personal understanding shapes every single conversation I have with our clients. It is never a tick box exercise or a product sale. It is a genuine, warm discussion about what your family would need to stay safe in your home.

I look after the full range of personal protection, offering whole of market advice across:

• Life Insurance: Making sure your mortgage is paid off and your family is secure if you are no longer here.
• Critical Illness Cover: Providing a tax free lump sum if you are diagnosed with a serious condition, giving you financial breathing room when you need it most.
• Income Protection: Replacing a portion of your salary if illness or injury prevents you from working, so the mortgage and bills still get paid.

A family business, built around families

Because Jamie and I run the day to day operations together, there is a personal dimension to how we work. Outside of the office, I love nothing more than spending time with my family, and if there is baking happening in the kitchen with our son, even better. That sense of home and family genuinely informs the care I bring to every client.

What you can expect:

• Patience and Clarity: A conversation that never feels rushed, corporate, or transactional.
• Plain English: No confusing industry jargon, just clear explanations of what you need and why.
• A Local Partner: Expert protection advice from a specialist who understands the Southampton, Romsey, and wider Hampshire community.

Whether you are a first time buyer looking at cover for the first time, or a growing family reassessing your current policies, I am here to help you get it right. There is no broker fee for our advice, just honest guidance to keep your home safe.

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