Boulger Watch

[Bruce Banner]

He's on now, BBC News.

[Bruce Banner]

That man gives new meaning to the words "slimy toad"

He has 'friends' though .

http://www.ciceroforum.com/conf_speakers.php?eid=6

[moonriver]

If, as I suspect, his appearances this week are anything like last weeks, then the "Ray Bouger watch" is going to keep us HPC'ers very busy.

And we will also need to be vigilant during unsocial hours.. eg last week one of his many appearances was on that 5.30am "Wake up to Money" programme.

[Bruce Banner]

If, as I suspect, his appearances this week are anything like last weeks, then the "Ray Bouger watch" is going to keep us HPC'ers very busy.

And we will also need to be vigilant during unsocial hours.. eg last week one of his many appearances was on that 5.30am "Wake up to Money" programme.

From his blog.

Ray Boulger is widely renowned as the guru of the mortgage industry and expert on the housing market. Ray is constantly called upon by the media to provide informed comment on all areas of the market, and is a regular on the BBC, Sky and ITV.

Last year, Ray was voted guru of the year at the Headlinemoney awards by all of the nation’s money and property journalists. As such, we thought it was high time that you had direct access to him. Ray’s blog will be updated most days so the knowledge just keeps on coming.

http://www.charcol.co.uk/knowledge-resources/ray-boulgers-blog/

[Kilham]

'knowledge-resources'

[Live Peasant]

I thought Charcol had gone bust. Is this a reincarnation or am I thinking of somebody else?

[Democorruptcy]

I thought Charcol had gone bust. Is this a reincarnation or am I thinking of somebody else?

Towergate Financial bought John Charcol last night after it went into administration.

Towergate Financial put together a bid last night after being approached by administrator Grant Thornton. Towergate Financial chief executive Ian Darby revealed that John Charcol's director first approached the firm as a buyer eight days ago.

The advice arm of Towergate Partnership will take on all John Charcol staff and customers but not all its liabilities.

John Charcol was put into administration by its directors after they struggled to cut costs to cope with a dwindling mortgage market, said Darby. ‘This opportunity came to us at very short notice,’ he said. ‘We now own a market leading brand that fits well in our family.’

Towergate Financial chief executive Ian Darby talking about the acquisition of John Charcol (2.09 minutes)

The deal will almost certainly lead to John Charcol breaking its single-tie protection relationship with Legal & General but advisers will continue to offer independent mortgage advice.

Towergate Financial said a high-net-worth mortgage arm would complement its private client and corporate advice work.

John Charcol advisers and staff were vital for making the business a success, said Darby. ‘We believe there is an excellent fit between our business and John Charcol. We jointly have a great opportunity to offer financial planning and insurance solutions to Charcol's clients and vice versa,' he said.

Difficult past

Accounts from Companies House reveal that John Charcol made a £1.2 million loss even before the credit crunch began to bite. The broker had debts of £7 million for the year ending 31 December 2007.

Founders of the mortgage broker John Garfield and Charles Wishart bought out private equity shareholder Advantage Capital in May 2008 after being forced to inject £1.5 million into the business following warnings from auditors.

The founder’s injection of capital was matched by a £1.2 million drawdown facility from Lloyds Banking Group and £600,000 from Jon Moulton of Alchemy Capital, which are not repayable until 2013.

The national mortgage broker has had a convoluted history with a plan to sell the business for £50 million failing through in January 2008. Bradford & Bingley bought the broker for £100 million in 2000 but it was later taken back into private hands at a loss.

John Charcol began dabbling in the general insurance market in December when it formed a partnership with Lark Insurance Brokering Group.

Garfield said both businesses had the opportunity to benefit from the deal.

Towergate Partnership chairman Peter Cullum (pictured above) said the deal would bring 100 new staff under the umbrella and safeguard the John Charcol brand.

John Charcol is one of the highest profile brokers in the mortgage market, with its technical expert Ray Boulger regularly appearing in the mainstream media but it has been hit hard by the downturn in the mortgage market and slashed advisers’ wages last year after axing a quarter of its staff and closing offices in 2008.

The plan to launch a fee-based whole of mortgage service with its advisers working from HSBC branches was launched in March but was canned eight months later.

http://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CB8QFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fcitywire.co.uk%2Fadviser%2F-%2Fnews%2Fadviser-news%2Fcontent.aspx%3FID%3D384055&ei=2OnqTKXOK4aWhQfkxfgP&usg=AFQjCNGcRjABqb0S2_eH6h43vp6cfyGnDw

[Si1]

I thought Charcol had gone bust. Is this a reincarnation or am I thinking of somebody else?

maybe they resurrected him as a computer animation like they did with Max Headroom

this would explain why he is sometimes live on several different TV channels at the same time

he will be commentating on the womens beach volleyball at the olympics next