From Punjab to the pinnacle of UK property finance, Bob Singh’s journey is as remarkable as the advice he gives to those looking to navigate this challenging, and often complicated arena…
With over four decades of experience in banking, financial planning, and property, Bob Singh – affectionately dubbed The Mortgage Maharaja – is more than just a mortgage broker. He’s a strategist, a mentor, and a name synonymous with trusted advice in the complex world of home finance.
Born in Punjab and brought to the UK in 1970 to reunite with his father who had settled in 1963, Bob began his British journey in Wolverhampton at the age of 8. By 17, he was breaking new ground – one of the first Asian men, and possibly the first Sikh wearing a turban, to work in a major bank in London.
“Back in the early 80s, there were very few men of colour in banking,” he recalls. “I left my A-levels halfway to take that opportunity. I did my banking exams while working – I wanted to get in early and prove myself.”
And prove himself he did. Rising through the ranks, Bob became one of the youngest Asian assistant managers in his bank before stepping into the world of financial services in 1990.
Interestingly, he didn’t set out to become a mortgage advisor. “I wanted to be an estate agent,” he admits. “I loved homes, design, the way people put their own stamp on their space.” But when a role opened up in a West London agency in 1993, it turned into a defining moment.
He hasn’t looked back since.
In 1999, he founded Chess Mortgages – a name inspired by the game of strategy and foresight. “In life and finance, you’ve got to think ahead, sometimes make sacrifices to reach your goal. That’s exactly how mortgage planning works,” says Bob.
Based in Hillingdon, Middlesex, with a presence that stretches nationwide, Chess Mortgages is now a well-regarded brand. Supported by a tight-knit team of three and a growing TikTok following of over 45,000, Bob remains the public face – guiding clients with clarity and integrity.
“If I give you advice, it’ll be the right advice – not because it favours me. It’s because it’s the right advice for your circumstances,” he says.
“If you want to make just one call, call me because I’ll give you the right advice first time,” he adds, with a confidence which is hard to ignore.
While many turn to online platforms for mortgages, Bob advocates for face-to-face advice. “Banks will only offer their own products. An independent advisor can search the whole market for the best fit – and we use powerful tools to calculate true cost over five years.”
His tip for buyers? “Get a mortgage decision in principle before you even start viewing properties. It’ll save time, heartache, and stress.”
Despite market pressures and shifting regulations, Bob finds fulfilment in every successful completion. “When a client sends a card or leaves a review saying, ‘Thank you, we couldn’t have done it without you,’ that’s my happiest moment,” he shares.
“When I read positive Google reviews about the company, it makes me incredibly proud.”
Beyond finance, Bob is a proud husband of 40 years, father of two, and caregiver to his elderly father – all under one roof in South Buckinghamshire. He once dreamed of becoming an astronaut, driven by a fascination with the cosmos and humanity’s tiny place in it.
“When you realise how short our lives are in the grand scheme, you want to make it count,” he reflects.
He’s also an amateur stand-up comedian, a fan of football, cricket and tennis, and someone who still enjoys watching a good sitcom when he gets the chance.
