Pictured above: (left to right) Lee Mortimer, Sarah Fullaway, Matt Simpson and Trevor Raybould.

At a time when many property companies across the UK are still experiencing a downturn in trade, two Derby-based firms of independent advisers are bucking the trend with news that they plan to merge and launch Derby's only high street financial services company.

Sarah Fullaway and Lee Mortimer from Pride Financial Services and Matt Simpson from GM Financial, who between them have more than 35 year's industry experience, have joined forces to form Avisa, a mortgage and independent financial services company.

The team has acquired new 1,396 sq ft premises on Queen Street, in the heart of the Cathedral Quarter. The building, formerly the Tregoning Gallery, is currently undergoing refurbishment and will officially open as Avisa in May. Avisa were represented by Trevor Raybould of Raybould & Sons Chartered Surveyors, who secured the property and lease on their behalf.

Avisa will be the only financial advisors in the city to have a high street presence and will provide a range of independent financial services, including mortgage, life insurance, income protection, critical illness cover and home insurance.

The company will also launch, Business AVISA, a separate division that will specialise in commercial finance, key man cover, shareholder protection, business loan protection and business insurance. 

The three directors, who have experience of working within large financial service companies and as self-employed independent financial advisers, share the same commitment to customer care. Their philosophy is to make financial services less complicated and provide independent advice that is tailored to the needs of each individual customer.

Their approach to customer service is also reflected in the design and layout of the new shop. Interior design specialists have created a contemporary shop, which boasts a stylish office and seating area and a wall mural with a map of the City of Derby scaling the walls. 

Commenting on the acquisition of the new premises, Sarah Fullaway said:

"We are delighted to have secured our new high profile premises and look forward to unveiling the new shop to our customers in May.

"Our vision is to provide people in and around Derby with the advice to suit them. We want to develop personal relationships with our customers and provide them with the best advice and deals to suit their needs," added Sarah

Trevor Raybould added: "We are particularly pleased that yet another Derby business, which knows the City Centre well, has chosen an office within the Cathedral Quarter for its long term expansion plans.

"To make the old streets of Derby more popular, Derby City Council and English Heritage have introduced the Building Repair Grant Scheme to restore and enhance the building frontages within areas of the city like the Cathedral Quarter, and we are hopeful that this policy will help bring shoppers, tourists and businesses back into the old part of the city," added Trevor.