Dave Cockle

Mortgage & Protection Adviser

Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice | On-Call Firefighter with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service

Dave is an experienced Mortgage & Protection Adviser with over 20 years of experience in banking, mortgages and property finance. He also serves as an on-call firefighter with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, giving him first-hand insight into the financial circumstances and working arrangements of emergency services personnel.

Dave specialises in mortgages for firefighters, alongside providing mortgage advice to first-time buyers, home movers, landlords, self-employed applicants and clients with complex income arrangements.

About Dave

Dave Cockle is a Mortgage & Protection Adviser at The Residential Mortgage Hub, with more than 20 years of experience across banking, mortgages and property finance.

Alongside his mortgage career, Dave serves as an On-Call Firefighter with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. His first-hand understanding of the profession puts him in a strong position to help firefighters and other emergency service personnel with their mortgage requirements. Dave specialises in mortgages for firefighters, including applicants with overtime, additional income and more complex employment arrangements.

Dave also advises self-employed clients and those with complex income arrangements, including contractors and limited company directors. He provides advice on residential mortgages, including home purchases and remortgages, buy-to-let mortgages and specialist property finance. He also offers protection advice, helping clients protect themselves, their families and their mortgage.

Throughout his career, Dave has developed extensive knowledge of mortgage lending and the challenges faced by clients whose circumstances may not meet standard lending criteria. This experience helps him explore suitable mortgage options across a wide range of lenders.

His approach is practical and straightforward, taking the time to understand each client’s individual circumstances, explain the available options clearly and provide support throughout the mortgage process, from initial enquiry through to completion.

Areas of Expertise

Mortgages for Firefighters

Firefighters and emergency services personnel
On-call and retained firefighters
Overtime and additional income
Complex income arrangements

Residential Mortgages

First-time buyers and home movers
Re-mortgages
Buy-to-let mortgages
Self-employed and complex income mortgages

Protection

Life insurance
Critical illness cover
Income protection
Mortgage protection

Experience & Qualifications

Dave has over 20 years of experience across banking, mortgages and property finance, having held senior management and director-level positions within major UK financial institutions and the specialist property finance sector.

Qualifications

Certificate in Mortgage Advice and Practice, LIBF, Distinction
Diploma in Lending, The Chartered Banker Institute, Distinction

Career Experience

Senior positions with Lloyds Banking Group, Santander and RBS Invoice Finance
Director-level experience within mortgage and specialist property finance
Extensive knowledge of residential mortgages, buy-to-let and specialist property funding

Outside Financial Services

Dave also serves as an On-Call Firefighter with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service. His first-hand understanding of the fire service gives him valuable insight into the working arrangements and mortgage requirements of firefighters and emergency services personnel.

Common Mortgage Questions With Dave Cockle

Can firefighters get a mortgage using overtime and additional income?

Yes. Many mortgage lenders can consider overtime and additional income when assessing affordability. Dave’s first-hand experience with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service gives him an understanding of firefighters’ working arrangements, helping him identify lenders whose criteria may suit their income.

Can on-call or retained firefighters get a mortgage?

Yes. Mortgage lenders may consider income from on-call or retained firefighting roles, including where this is alongside another job. Dave can review your employment arrangements and income to help identify suitable mortgage options.

Can firefighters use overtime and additional income to get a mortgage?

Yes, many mortgage lenders will consider overtime and additional income when assessing mortgage affordability for firefighters. This can include regular overtime, shift allowances, retained duty payments and income from a second job.

How much additional income a lender will accept depends on its lending criteria, how regularly the income is received and whether it can be evidenced through payslips or other supporting documents.

As an On-Call Firefighter with Surrey Fire and Rescue Service, Dave understands the different income arrangements within the fire service. He can help you explore suitable mortgage options with lenders who recognise these additional sources of income.

Find out more about our mortgages for firefighters service.

How many years of accounts do I need for a self-employed mortgage?

It depends on the lender. While many lenders prefer two or more years of trading history, some may consider applicants with a shorter track record. Dave can assess your circumstances and identify the options available to you.

Can I get a mortgage if I’m a company director?

Yes. Lenders can assess company director income in different ways, including salary, dividends and, in some circumstances, retained profits. Dave can review your company and personal income to establish which lenders may be appropriate.

Can I get a mortgage if my income comes from several different sources?

Potentially. Some lenders can consider multiple sources of income when assessing affordability. Dave can review how your income is made up and identify lenders whose criteria are suited to more complex income structures.

Can you help if I’m self-employed with only one year’s accounts?

Yes. Dave specialises in helping self-employed clients, including those with a shorter trading history. Some lenders may consider applicants with just one year’s accounts, depending on the circumstances. Dave can review your income, trading history and overall position to identify lenders whose criteria may be suitable.

Do I need to live near Surrey to work with Dave?

No. Dave is based in Surrey and works with clients throughout the UK. Mortgage and protection appointments can be conducted by telephone or Microsoft Teams, so you can receive advice regardless of where you are based.

What our clients say about The Residential Mortgage Hub

      EXCELLENT  
   Based on 223 reviews 
    
 
 
 
   
 
 
       Posted on Google  
   
   Syed 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ Fiona Ford – Simply Outstanding!

We originally started our mortgage application with a different mortgage adviser, but unfortunately they were not reliable and we eventually decided to take everything back and start again.

That’s when Fiona Ford stepped in — and what a difference!

It wasn’t a straightforward case and there were difficulties and obstacles along the way, but Fiona dealt with everything. She took control, stayed on top of the situation and worked incredibly hard to get us the result we needed.

Fiona started a completely new mortgage application on Monday, and by Thursday our second mortgage was completed — just four days! Absolutely incredible.

Fiona is honest, reliable, hardworking, punctual and completely on the ball. She doesn’t give up when she comes across an obstacle — she finds a way forward.

In my 35 years of dealing with mortgages, Fiona is genuinely the best mortgage adviser I have ever come across.

Five stars aren’t enough. 10/10 from me. Fiona is the GOAT — Greatest Of All Time! 🐐

I cannot recommend her highly enough. Absolutely fantastic from start to finish.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Donna Du 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Amazing team. Working hard and fast .
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Charlie Stanton 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I honestly couldn’t recommend Az highly enough! From the very beginning, he was incredibly helpful, approachable and communicative. Az kept me updated every step of the way, was always available when I had questions, and took the time to explain everything clearly. Az went above and beyond to help me secure a good mortgage rate, which I’m incredibly grateful for. I would happily recommend him to anyone looking for a mortgage advisor and wouldn’t hesitate to use him again in the future!
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jason Vijey 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Tom and Ema were fantastic from start to finish of our mortgage journey, proactively chasing our solicitors and also continually updating to the best available rates !
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Jo Razak 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Can’t speak highly enough of Az. This wasn’t a straightforward case, larger loan, tight timescales, and a completion date I really needed to hit, and he handled all of it calmly and kept me in the loop at every stage. What I appreciated most was that he actually looked out for us. When rates moved in our favour close to completion he sorted a switch to the better rate without me even having to chase it. Everything completed exactly when it needed to and the funds came through bang on time. If you want a broker who’s responsive, knows his stuff, and genuinely works in your corner, he’s your man.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Charlie C 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I cannot begin to recommend The Residential Mtg Hub enough! Gavin and Az have been absolutely tremendous throughout the whole process. From the initial consultation, they both answered all our questions and gave great, professional advice. We had to secure our mortgage quickly and they went above and beyond to make that happen while still ensuring we got the best deal. I wouldn’t go or recommend anywhere else, they were absolutely our super star team.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Adam Boult 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have been recommending the Residential Mortgage Hub to everyone I know following the incredibly efficient mortgage application on a new property purchase, with a tight time frame they delivered and more. Both Gavin Carley and Az Rahman have been so helpful, their advice has been second to none and I would like to say a massive thank you to the both of them for all their help. I could not ask for a better service.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Thanzeena Miah 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Had the pleasure of having Az work on getting our mortgage sorted. He was very informative and any queries we had were dealt with promptly. Highly recommend.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Myan Mirza 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. I have used Residential Mortgage Hub on a number of occasions and have always received an excellent service. The team are professional, knowledgeable, and always available to answer any questions throughout the process.

They guided me every step of the way from the initial application through to completion, making what can often be a stressful process feel straightforward and hassle-free. Their communication was excellent, and I always felt informed and supported.

I would highly recommend Residential Mortgage Hub to anyone looking for a reliable and professional mortgage broker. Thank you again for all your help and support.
  
 
      Posted on Google  
   
   Liam Moses 
 
 
 
 Trustindex verifies that the original source of the review is Google. Highly rated, trust worthy, reliable, will recommend to family and friends.
  
 
  
  
 
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Ready to discuss your mortgage?

Whether you’re buying a home, remortgaging, investing in property or have circumstances that make finding the right mortgage more complex, speak to Dave to discuss your options.

Dave Cockle – Mortgage Adviser & Firefighter