Conference
The IMLA Conference
IMLA represents the views and interests of UK mortgage lenders involved in the generation of mortgage business via professional financial intermediaries.
The next IMLA Conference will be held on 23rd June at Cardiff City Stadium. It is the sixth event in the series and is aimed specifically at the new joiners to the industry, which will be a mix of newcomers to both lenders and intermediary firms. The objective of the event is to give delegates a broad knowledge of the constituent parts of the market, the key drivers behind the direction of travel of the industry and also exposure to the experience and insight from IMLA and senior industry colleagues to build individual networks, inspire progression and provide access to the tools and confidence to thrive and progress to the very top.
If you are interested in attending the next event please email neve.mcmahon@ae3media.co.uk for details on how to register.
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Registration
10:00 – 10:15
Welcome and introduction
- Purpose and aims of today
- Running order and presentation topics
- Ways you can get involved and build your network of contacts
- Reflecting on the importance of the intermediary channel
Jonathan Stinton, chair, IMLA and head of intermediary relationships, Coventry for Intermediaries
10:15 – 10:45
What is IMLA and what do we do?
- What is IMLA and who are its members?
- What is it’s purpose and areas of activity?
- IMLA’s Inclusivity & Diversity Group
- Introducing the Working in Mortgages website
Kate Davies, executive director, IMLA
Nicola Goldie, deputy chair, IMLA and head of strategic partnerships and growth, Aldermore
10:45 – 11:15
Mortgage valuations – exploring the evolving valuation landscape and valuation factors that impact lending decisions
- Explore the current valuation landscape, understanding its ‘why’, ‘how’, and ‘what’
- Discuss how the current valuation landscape is evolving to reflect risk models and improved Automated Valuation Models (AVMs)
- Gain insights to confidently navigate diverse valuation scenarios
Will Hinds, head of real estate, OSB Group
Coffee and networking break
11:45 – 12:15
Discussions and questions
Interact with your peers for an open discussion about the sessions you’ve heard so far. Share insights, exchange ideas and ask questions.
12:15 – 12:45
How do lenders price their mortgages and what does the interest rate outlook mean for the market outlook?
- Overview of the mortgage lending market
- How are mortgage products are priced
- Understand how recent economic events have impacted the mortgage market
Ben Smith, head of products and propositions, Newcastle Building Society
Networking lunch
13:45 – 14:15
How is digital changing the homebuying process?
- Understand why the homebuying process is still one of the most stressful customer experiences
- Why do we need digital transformation to make it better?
- What government and industry are addressing in the short term
- Understand what the future of homebuying will look like
Nick Chadbourne, CEO, LMS
14:15 – 14:45
The UK Buy-to-Let Market: Scale, Regulation and the Path to Sustainability
- An overview of the size of the UK buy-to-let sector and its role within the wider housing market, highlighting its importance to rental supply and long-term investment.
- A brief retrospective on how the sector has evolved over the past decade, reflecting regulatory and behavioural shifts that have reshaped landlord activity.
- A forward-looking examination of upcoming changes, including the Renters’ Rights Bill, MESS compliance, and changes to EPC regulation, and what these mean for landlords and investors.
Wes Regis, key account manager, Fleet Mortgages
Moderated by: Nicola Goldie, deputy chair, IMLA and head of strategic partnerships and growth, Aldermore
14:45 – 15:15
Discussions and questions
Interact with your peers for an open discussion about the sessions you’ve heard so far. Share insights, exchange ideas and ask questions.
15:15 – 15:45
Building a career without a rulebook
Starting out in the mortgage industry can feel daunting. There is no single route in, no ready‑made career plan, and much of the learning happens by doing.
In this fireside chat, Amanda Bryden, head of Halifax Intermediaries, sits down with Rachael Hunnisett, director of mortgage distribution at April Mortgages, to share what real career progression looks like in practice.
From early days advising customers to stepping into senior leadership roles, they will talk honestly about the moments that shaped them, the challenges they had to navigate and the lessons they learned along the way.
They will also reflect on the role of visibility and voice, how sharing experiences through social media and national media has helped demystify the industry, build confidence and challenge outdated perceptions of what a career in mortgages can look like.
Amanda Bryden, head of Halifax Intermediaries & Scottish Widows Bank
Rachel Hunniset, director of mortgage distribution, April Mortgages
15:45 – 15:55
Closing remarks
Jonathan Stinton, chair, IMLA and head of intermediary relationships, Coventry for Intermediaries
Close of the IMLA conference
Head of Halifax Intermediaries and Scottish Widows Bank, Lloyds Banking Group
Amanda Bryden is a senior leader in the UK mortgage industry with over 26 years of experience. She is Head of Halifax Intermediaries and Scottish Widows Bank at Lloyds Banking Group, where she leads the Group’s intermediary residential strategy and supports its ambition to make home ownership more accessible, sustainable, and inclusive.
Amanda began her career as a mortgage broker and has held senior roles across several of the UK’s leading mortgage lenders. Her deep understanding of the intermediary market and focus on delivering strong customer outcomes have made her a trusted voice in the housing sector. She is the national media spokesperson for the Halifax House Price Index and regularly speaks at industry events.
In 2023, Amanda was appointed to the board of the Society of Mortgage Professionals, advocating for professional standards and broker support. In 2026, she joined the board of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association.
Amanda’s strategic vision and dedication to innovation continue to shape LBGs housing strategy, ensuring the group remains at the forefront of supporting home buyers, brokers, and communities across the UK.
Chief executive, LMS
Nick is the award-winning CEO at conveyancing services provider, LMS.
Since joining in 2016, Nick has led LMS’ digital transformation, enhancing systems and processes which has resulted in significant growth across the business.
With nearly 25 years of experience in financial services, Nick has successfully led businesses throughout the credit crunch and transformed business models with innovative and sustainable strategies.
He continues to innovate and lead LMS through an exciting period of growth whilst maintaining the ability to deliver high standards of service and improve operational efficiencies within the sector.
Executive director, IMLA
Kate studied German at Durham University and started her career in local government, then moved to the Building Societies Association/Council of Mortgage Lenders, where she became the CML’s specialist on mortgage regulation.
Since leaving the CML in 2008, Kate has worked freelance for a number of trade associations and served for six years as a non-executive director at the Darlington Building Society.
She succeeded Peter Williams as IMLA’s executive director in January 2018.
Head of strategic partnerships & growth, Aldermore, deputy chair, IMLA and chair, Working in Mortgages
Nicola Goldie is an award-winning leader in financial services, currently serving as head of strategic partnerships & growth at Aldermore. With deep expertise in the mortgage industry and a career spanning two decades, Nicola has helped shape strategic growth, broker relationships and an inclusive culture across the sector.
She is the deputy chair of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) and chair of Working in Mortgages, where she leads initiatives focused on talent development, industry collaboration, and driving positive change.
Named Woman of the Year at Aldermore, Nicola is a passionate advocate for diversity, equity and inclusion. She is known for her strategic vision, authentic leadership and ability to build impactful partnerships that unlock growth and drive innovation in the mortgage space.
Head of real estate, OSB Group
Will has over 20 years’ experience in the UK real estate industry, including both the residential and commercial sectors, with a particular specialism in valuation.
He has previously worked for some of the UK’s leading chartered surveying firms, including JLL, CBRE and Knight Frank.
Will is responsible for the operational and strategic management of the OSB Group’s in-house team of chartered surveyors, which provides consultancy advice to stakeholders across the group. In addition to this, Will ensures that the group’s real estate lending strategy, including valuation procurement, is aligned with risk appetite.
Director of mortgage distribution, April Mortgages
Rachael Hunnisett is director of mortgage distribution at Dutch-backed lender, April Mortgages.
Driving market-first innovation and building a high-impact distribution strategy, she spearheads ambitious growth across the business.
A trusted industry voice, Rachael is known for her straight-talking leadership, commercial focus, and determination to champion a more inclusive mortgage market.
National account manager, Fleet Mortgages
Wes is part of Fleet Mortgage’s national account management team. He has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services sector in a range of roles, with a focus on the origination of specialist lending.
He supports Fleet’s intermediary partners and helps to manage key relationships.
Head of commercial and product development, Newcastle Building Society
Ben has worked in financial services for over 22 years across a range of functions, including marketing, IT, web development, and customer service roles in savings and mortgages.
He has worked with commercial and proposition development since 2012, starting as a data analyst. He’s now responsible for the development and delivery of the society’s commercial lending and savings plan.
chair, IMLA and head of intermediary relationships, Coventry for Intermediaries
Having worked at Coventry Building Society for over 18 years, Jonathan is an experienced head of intermediary relationship management, and previously worked as a business development manager and corporate account manager.
Jonathan’s current position involves fostering broker relationships, leading corporate account management teams and overseeing the intermediary development telephone team in head office as well as a team of regional managers and BDMs.
Jonathan also became chair of IMLA in January 2026.