In Memory of Phil Harries Mortgage Adviser & Mentor
It is with great sadness that we remember our friend and colleague Phil Harries, who passed away in 2026. Phil played an important role in the Sturgess story — first as Shaun's mentor, and later as a valued member of the team. We are honoured to keep his place here, in his own words.
From Phil:
"I've worked in the financial sector most of my adult life, initially with the Halifax group in various roles before becoming a regional manager. The training was excellent — I learnt every role in depth, which meant understanding a client's needs and wants became my focus, and second nature to me. I moved branches quite regularly within the group, and this further added to my learning. The lessons learnt have been invaluable in building relationships with my clients.
I managed and worked with many talented individuals, including investment and mortgage specialists — an area of great interest to me, and one that has led me to where I am today.
My role within the Bank was becoming more admin and less client-focussed, and the areas I enjoyed were becoming more restricted, with a demand that we could only sell one product — the Bank's own. That didn't fit with my own personal ethos of putting the client first.
I already had all the qualifications and took the leap to join a national estate agent as a mortgage broker. It was great knowing that I could make a difference again, and I quickly established myself as the leading broker in the region. The role suited me, and my clients were delighted that I could offer them real choice as an independent, whole-of-market mortgage broker.
During this time, I mentored many aspiring mortgage brokers — including a certain Shaun Sturgess. It became clear he would go on to achieve great things, and his acknowledgement of my help and support in those early years has been reward in itself.
I wanted another challenge, especially as the estate agency chain I was associated with had been bought by a corporate rival. Shaun and I had always stayed connected, and when he offered me a role utilising my experience and skills, it was an easy decision to make."
Phil's mentorship shaped Shaun's career and, in turn, helped shape Sturgess Mortgage Solutions. He is greatly missed by all who knew him, and his legacy lives on in the values he instilled — putting the client first, doing the job properly, and looking after the people around you.
A personal note from Shaun:
"I wouldn't be where I am today without Phil — not just as a business owner, but more importantly as a person. I will be eternally grateful for everything he taught me, and Phil will always hold a special place in my heart."
