Kate Morrish is one of the newest members of the Citrus Financial team, having joined us in 2025.
For many clients, Kate is the friendly voice they hear when they phone the office or receive a call to arrange their next advice meeting. Calm, helpful and easy to talk to, Kate plays an important role in making sure clients feel welcome and well looked after from the very first conversation.
A graduate of the University of York, Kate is also currently studying towards her mortgage exams while working closely with Nicky Kirton, our Mortgage and Protection Adviser.
We sat down with Kate to find out more about her role, her love of learning, and why Comic-Con, Scouts and a rather unfortunate GCSE art project all make an appearance in her story.
How did you first get into financial services?
I really wanted to do something people-focused.
While I was at university, I worked in retail and really enjoyed speaking to people when they came in. I liked having those everyday conversations and helping people, so I knew I wanted a role where I could interact with clients regularly.
When I came for my interview at Citrus, it was clear straight away that the role was very client services-based. You get to speak to people every day, and it feels personal, which I really like.
I studied English at university, so financial services probably sounds like the opposite of what you might expect me to go into. I thought it would be much more maths-based, but actually communication is such a big part of it. I’ve always felt that being able to communicate clearly is a really important skill, and my degree definitely helped with that.
What attracted you to Citrus Financial?
Definitely the atmosphere. It felt like a really lovely place to work from the beginning. Everyone was very friendly, and even during the interview process I got a real sense of teamwork.
Before my interview, I had a chat with Kelly and we probably spoke for about an hour and a half. It was such a lovely conversation, and I remember thinking, “This would be a really nice place to work.”
I think atmosphere is one of the most important things about any company, and Citrus felt like somewhere people genuinely enjoy working.
"For many clients, I’m the first person they speak to, so I try to be friendly, open and helpful."
You studied English at the University of York. What did you enjoy most about your time there?
I loved my degree itself because it gave me a lot of freedom. I could choose what I wanted to write my essays about, which was great.
York itself was also a gorgeous place to live. In my third year, I lived within the city walls, so I was about five minutes from the centre. I could just pop out and walk around all these beautiful old buildings and lovely architecture. It’s a city, but you can walk across most of it in about 15 minutes, so it feels quite small and friendly.
I also loved the lakes on campus. I became slightly obsessed with the ducks, especially Long Boi, who was this very tall duck with a huge neck. He was a bit of a university celebrity, and there’s now a statue of him.
What does a typical day look like for you?
The first thing I usually do is make sure the meeting rooms are set up and looking nice for clients coming in.
Then I check my emails and go through any responses that have come in overnight, particularly from clients arranging meetings. On a Monday, I’ll usually send out emails to clients who are due to have their next meeting with their adviser.
I also help with mortgage cases, checking what documents have arrived and what still needs to be chased.
After that, the day can become quite varied. People will ask me to book meetings, chase something up, or help with different tasks. A big part of my role is managing diaries, which can be quite tricky, especially when advisers are out seeing clients or travelling between appointments. Google Maps has definitely become my friend!
What skills do you think are most important in your role?
Communication is really important. You have to be clear when speaking to clients, especially when arranging meetings or passing on information.
You also need to be flexible and organised. There can be a lot of back and forth with clients about dates and times, and sometimes things happen in their lives which mean a meeting needs to be moved.
It’s about balancing the adviser’s diary with what works best for the client, while keeping everything on track.
You’re now studying towards your mortgage exams. How are you finding that?
I’m really enjoying it. I’ve always liked learning, and I’m now a couple of years out of university, so it’s been nice to get back into studying again.
I’m currently working through R01, which covers financial services, regulation and ethics. After that, there’s CF6, which is more specific to mortgage advice.
I’ve got a huge textbook, an online course, quizzes and study material, but because I studied English, I’ve gone back to writing everything down, highlighting and using different colours. That’s how I learn best.
I’m only a few chapters in, but I’ve been testing myself as I go and I’m pleased with the progress so far.
What have you learned from working closely with Nicky?
Nicky has been absolutely lovely to work with. She’s helped me understand why mortgages are so specific to each client. Before working with her, I probably thought of a mortgage as just a loan to buy a house. But actually, it depends so much on what the client needs and what they’re trying to do.
Some people are buying a new home, some are improving their existing home, some are looking at a new mortgage deal. Each situation is different.
I also didn’t realise how fast-paced mortgages can be. Rates can change quickly, and sometimes lenders change products several times in a short period. There’s a lot to keep on top of.
That’s one of the things I’ve learned. It can give clients peace of mind knowing someone is helping them monitor what’s available and supporting them through the process.
"Before I worked in financial services, I probably thought finance sounded quite cold or dry. But actually, it’s very personal."
What advice would you give to someone starting a career in financial services?
I’d say remember who the advice is for. It’s for the client, and it needs to benefit them. You have to think about their needs, their goals and what they want to achieve.
Before I worked in financial services, I probably thought finance sounded quite cold or dry. But actually, it’s very personal. It can be really positive because you’re helping people build something or make decisions that matter to their lives.
I’d also say just go for it. It’s interesting to learn about, and it gives you knowledge that is useful in your own life too.
It means conversations are practical, focused and always centred around how we keep improving what we do for clients.
When you’re not working or studying, what do you enjoy doing?
I enjoy reading, painting and gaming. I have about four or five unfinished art projects at the moment, including an A3 acrylic painting that I started last year. It’s based on a scene from the video game I wrote my dissertation on.
I also started crochet, although that isn’t finished either!
We hear there’s a story behind one of your old art projects…
Yes, the chicken paintings.
For my GCSE art project, I was trying to decide what to do, and my art teacher suggested animals. I never made it to the zoo, so I took photos of the chickens in our garden.
Somehow, that turned into a whole project about humans and chickens blended together.
I ended up with drawings of my family as chickens. My sister as a chicken playing tennis, my sister as a chicken driving a car, chickens knitting. It was awful.
I did quite well in the end, but I hated the project. I still had some of the canvases years later, which is why I’m now painting over one of them. You can still just about see part of a chicken head underneath.
"I think Scouts is amazing. It helps young people socialise, build confidence and do things they might not otherwise try."
You’re also involved in Scouts, aren’t you?
Yes. I was part of Scouts when I was younger, and now I volunteer with a local Cub Pack.
I think Scouts is amazing. It helps young people socialise, build confidence and do things they might not otherwise try.
It’s not just about being outdoorsy, although there is plenty of that. It’s learning practical skills, going camping, climbing, going on walks, and being around people you might not meet at school.
I was also lucky enough to go to the World Scout Jamboree in America in 2019, which was an incredible experience.
And finally… is it true you’re a Comic-Con fan?
Yes! I went to Comic-Con for the first time last year, and it was such a good experience. As you get closer to the ExCeL in London, you start seeing more and more people in costume on the train, which is quite impressive.
It’s a lovely day because you can just wander around and geek out about books, films, TV shows, games and comics. It’s not really just comics anymore. It’s all kinds of media and fandoms. Last year, David Tennant was there, although I didn’t get to see him on stage.
I’m going again this year, and I’ve already bought part of my costume.
I was also lucky enough to go to the World Scout Jamboree in America in 2019, which was an incredible experience.
Quickfire Round
Tea or coffee?
Tea
Early bird or night owl?
Definitely night owl
City break, beach holiday or countryside escape?
Probably camping. I haven’t done many proper beach holidays or city breaks, apart from Amsterdam, which I loved
Favourite film?
12 Angry Men. I also saw it as a stage play in York, which was brilliant
What are you watching at the moment?
The Pitt. My sister is a medical student and says she’s watching it as revision! She explains all the medical terms to me while we watch
You can meet more members of the team here.
Approver Quilter Financial Services Limited. 26/03/2026
