About Us – Blackstar Mortgages

We are Blackstar

Your mortgage journey starts here!

The Blackstar Story

Blackstar Mortgages was built on the belief that clients deserve more than just a transaction.

Too often, people searching for mortgage advice are faced with confusing jargon, endless paperwork and impersonal service. We wanted to create something different.

By combining decades of financial services experience with a genuinely personal approach, we’ve built a business that puts relationships first. We take the time to understand your goals, explain your options in plain English and support you from initial enquiry through to completion and beyond.

Our clients know they can pick up the phone, ask questions and receive honest advice from people who genuinely care about helping them achieve their property goals.

Meet the Team

Led by Mike and supported by a highly experienced team of advisers, Blackstar Mortgages brings together more than 75 years of combined experience within the financial services industry.

What sets us apart isn’t simply our knowledge of mortgages and protection products. It’s our commitment to treating every client as an individual.

We understand that everyone’s situation is different. Whether you’re buying your very first home, moving to accommodate a growing family, refinancing your existing mortgage or investing in property, we’ll take the time to understand your circumstances and recommend solutions that suit your needs.

Our approach is professional, friendly and always tailored around you.

Vickie Harris

With nearly 30 years of experience in financial services, Vickie has built an extensive career, working as both a financial adviser and manager across mortgages, protection, and financial planning. While she may not always be front and centre, her knowledge, experience, and organisational skills play a huge part in keeping the business running smoothly and ensuring clients receive the highest level of service.

Passionate about doing things properly, Vickie works closely with the team to make sure every client journey is as seamless as possible, supporting both advisers and clients every step of the way.

When she’s not helping to run the business, you’ll usually find her enjoying a day at the cricket, catching up with friends and family, discovering a great restaurant, or raising a glass with good company. She’s also proud to work alongside her husband Mike, who is a fellow director of the business, and together they are kept busy by their son, James.

With decades of industry experience and a genuine passion for helping people, Vickie is proud to be part of a business that puts relationships, trust, and great advice at the heart of everything we do.

Vickie Harris | CeMap

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Bio

Alistair Hayward-Wright

Alistair is the Managing Director and Founder of both Hayward Wright and Blackstar Mortgages. He is responsible for leading the firm and supporting his wider teams to develop their skills and experience.

Alistair began his career at a small independent accountancy practice in Redditch, where he worked for two years to obtain his Practicing Certificate. In 2007, he took a significant step by launching Hayward Wright and acquiring his first accountancy practice near Worcester. Under his leadership, the firm has grown substantially, becoming one of the regions leading accountancy practices. Today, Hayward Wright has over 30 employees and operates from several office locations across the West Midlands. Alistair is FCA-qualified with the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Although Alistair’s day-to-day focus is on his accountancy practice, he still finds time to support a range of clients on both fronts and focuses mainly on:

Strategic support for clients in growth mode
Restructuring work
Fractional financial director role
With has many years of experience in supporting property developers and investors, providing a critical eye on growth plans and forecasts, the Hospitality industry and Motorsport sector, Alistair is passionate about providing value-added advice to our clients.

With a senior chef for a Mum, it’s hardly surprising that Alistair is passionate about cooking and is always trying out new recipes for friends and family. He’s also a passionate motorsport and rugby fan and makes regular trips to racecourses around the country and the odd rugby game as well as his own racing team.

Alistair Hayward-Wright

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Leigh Bailey | Cert CII (MP)

Say hello to Leigh, our mortgage and protection powerhouse! With over 20 years in financial services, there isn’t a property puzzle Leigh can’t solve.

From first-time buyers and growing families to savvy buy-to-let investors, Leigh specializes in finding tailored solutions for everyone—including those with complex incomes or less-than-perfect credit. For Leigh, it’s not just about the numbers; it’s about understanding your lifestyle, family, and long-term goals.

What Leigh Does Best:

· The Full Property Journey: Helping you move in, scale up, or build a property portfolio.

· Total Protection: Making sure you don’t just get the keys, but keep them if life throws a curveball (handling everything from life insurance to 5-star home cover).

· Business Safeguarding: Helping small business owners protect their hard work tax-efficiently.

Beyond the Desk:

When Leigh isn’t busy securing dream homes, you’ll likely find them polishing and showing off their classic Japanese car or tackling a never-ending list of DIY and home improvement projects (though Leigh admits it’s a fine line between a “hobby” and a “necessity”!).

Whether you’re stepping onto the ladder or reviewing your insurance, Leigh is here to provide the trusted, personal advice you deserve.

Looking to make your next property move or protect your future? Drop a comment below or send us a message to connect with Leigh!

Mike Harris

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Mike Harris

Buying a home or investing in property is one of the biggest financial decisions you’ll ever make. That’s why we founded Blackstar Mortgages, to give people a trusted, reliable partner who will look out for their best interests every step of the way.

With over 30 years of deep financial services experience—including years spent navigating the fast-paced world of a stockbroker, guiding clients as an Independent Financial Adviser (IFA), and championing consumer trust as a complaints manager—my perspective is uniquely comprehensive. I don’t just look at a mortgage in isolation; I understand how it fits into your broader financial life, market conditions, and long-term security. Above all, my background has instilled in me an unwavering commitment to transparency and putting the client first.

My goal has always been simple: take the stress away and make things crystal clear. Whether you are stepping onto the property ladder for the first time right through to expanding a property portfolio, we take pride in offering friendly, honest guidance and building long-term relationships.

Outside of work, I’m a firm believer in creativity and focus. Whether I’m painting, picking up a guitar, tinkering with a car, or causing chaos in the kitchen, I love working with my hands and creating things from scratch—a meticulous mindset I bring to tailoring the right mortgage solution for every unique client.

Leigh Bailey

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Chris Garfield

Say hello to Chris, our personal protection specialist and proud member of the Blackstar team.

Chris helps individuals, families, and business owners put the right protection in place — from life insurance, critical illness, accident and sickness cover, income protection, and private medical insurance to business protection for key people, shareholders, and company owners.

For business owners, Chris can also help explore tax-efficient protection options where appropriate, making sure both the business and the people behind it are properly safeguarded.

For Chris, it’s not just about policies; it’s about understanding people, their responsibilities, and what matters most, so they can feel confident they’re protected if life takes an unexpected turn.

Beyond the desk, Chris is a proud dad of two and a big sports fan. Whether it’s bowls, golf, football, or cricket, he’s always happy to talk sport.

Looking to protect yourself, your family, your business, or your future? Drop a comment below or send us a message to connect with Chris!

Chris Garfield

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