About us
We help you put your mortgage on easy mode
Forest Mortgages is brought to you by Providus Financial, a well established and successful financial planning firm based in Waltham Forest.
We offer dedicated mortgage advice, drawing on years of experience in financial services to create an easy, stress-free experience.
Driven by a vision to serve the local community, our small, close knit team offers a friendly and personal approach to mortgage advice.
With our years of experience using technology to streamline the process, we go above and beyond to deliver a totally transparent and user-friendly experience.
Our values
Commitment
We are committed to getting the right outcome for our clients, and expect our clients to commit to working with us in return.
Growth
We foster a growth mindset, constantly seeking to develop our expertise and help our clients on their own growth journey.
Integrity
We believe in open and honest communication and deliver on our promises.
Adding Value
We go the extra mile to ensure our clients receive exceptional value.
Community
We’re actively involved in the local community, supporting causes close to us.
Experience and expertise you can trust
While Forest Mortgages is a new brand, our foundation is built on experience. Backed by Providus Financial, a trusted presence since 2015 and with Antony's expertise as a financial adviser since 2011, we have a successful history of helping hundreds of clients achieve their mortgage goals.
We take pride in simplifying the process for you, handling the administrative complexities so you can focus on what's important. Community is a cornerstone of our values – we’re actively involved in the local business community and are passionate about supporting local causes.
Meet the team
Antony Smith
Director
Antony is the founder and Director of Providus Financial and set up Forest Mortgages in 2023 with a vision to provide dedicated mortgage advice to Providus’ client base as well as others in the surrounding area.
Antony has a wealth of experience working in financial services, seeing the bad side of the business from his time working on endowment complaints at the start of his career which motivated him to want to do things in the right way.
Outside of work, Antony loves going on adventures with his wife Lindsey and two boys Dominic and Alexander, both overseas and closer to home.
He is actively involved with West Essex cricket and football clubs, supporting the junior sections where both Dominic and Alexander play and captaining the 4th XI cricket team.
When time allows Antony enjoys going to gigs and watching live sport.
Kenneth Gills
Mortgage & protection adviser
Ken joined Forest Mortgages when it launched in 2023. He has prior experience as both a mortgage adviser and estate agent which gives him an excellent all round skill set to support our clients with their property and mortgage journey.
Ken is a proud dad to Isla who does her best to keep him up at night.
Courtney Gills
Administrator
Courtney joined the team in 2017 and has worked in all areas of the business. As an experienced administrator, she is highly capable of solving problems and making sure our records are up to date.
Outside of work, Courtney is a busy mum to her two daughters Keira and Maisie. She is also studying for her financial services exams.
Lorna Ross
Administrator
Lorna has been part of the team since January 2023 and looks after our financial planning clients.
Lorna spends most of her spare time watching her two sons Teddy & Hector play rugby, football and cricket, and enjoys getting out for an early morning run.
Don't just take our word for it
Here's what our clients say
From day one, we've felt confident and secure in the advice offered to our family. They're our first port of call with any financial matters and we have already recommended them to all our friends."
Lee, Walthamstow
Client since 2015
I’ve used Providus and now Forest Mortgages for many years now, both on a personal and business level, and thoroughly value the advice given. It’s incredibly useful to be able to rely on a company and know that the personal side of your life is being taken care of. Advice given for our group of businesses in terms of debt restructuring and raising capital was also a valuable sounding board when negotiating terms with lenders over significant levels of finance.
Freddie, Leytonstone
Client since 2015
My experience with Forest Mortgages was a really positive one. My financial situation was complicated, navigating through a divorce while simultaneously buying this house. I found Ken personable, down to earth and most importantly resilient. We had multiple knock backs, but I don’t remember once hearing defeat or acceptance in his approach, he often called on his experience in how to approach lenders. Ultimately I think it’s that approach that really got us over the line. I’ll be forever grateful for the effort applied to get me a new home.
Steve, London
Client since 2016
Immediately I felt at ease… I trust their advice 100%”
Michaela, Walthamstow
Client since 2015