The DIFF School Leavers campaign has been running for three years, aiming to showcase the career opportunities available to young people in the financial services sector regardless of their education level.
The campaign was launched following DIFF events and podcasts around social mobility.
This year’s list includes:
- Michele Golunska, managing director – wealth, Aviva
- James Rodea, managing director, SPF Private Clients
- Sarah Tucker, CEO and founder, The Mortgage Mum
- Gareth Herbert, distribution director, Mortgage Advice Bureau
- Sue Hayes, CEO, Nottingham Building Society
- Katherine Stagg, director and mortgage and protection adviser, Stagg Mortgages
- AJ Sahota, strategic protection specialist, Zurich
- Viki Springall, marketing director
- Paul Purewal, head of intermediary relations, Dudley Building Society
- Maria Harris, chair, Open Property Data Association
- Sonya Matharu, founder, The Mortgage Atelier
- Richard Walker, head of intermediary sales, Virgin Money and Clydesdale
- Jo Carrasco, business partnerships director, Stonebridge
- Paul Adams, sales director, Pepper Money
- Rachel Geddes, lender relationship director, Mortgage Advice Bureau
- Jenna Chesterman, account manager, NatWest Intermediaries
- Paul Merrigan – founder and CEO, Lifetime Connect
- Pam Brown, owner, Pam Brown Mortgages
- Richard Goppy, director of acquisition, PMS Mortgage Club
- Frances Cassidy, head of partnerships, Lloyds Banking Group
Bharat Sagar, chair of DIFF, said: “I was told by an individual that last year’s School Leavers campaign inspired them to go for a promotion that they weren’t originally going to try for, because they felt that not having a degree meant they wouldn’t qualify. Fortunately, they applied and got the position.
“That alone makes the School Leavers campaign worthwhile for DIFF to do and champion.”
Sagar is working on the 2027 list, anyone who wants to be featured should contact bharat.sagar@ae3media.co.uk.
