Award

The British Mortgage Awards 2026

Venue

2026 Finalists

2026 Sponsors

2026 Judges

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London

200, Westminster Bridge Road, London, England, SE1 7UT, United Kingdom

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London

2026 Finalists

Broker

Rising Star – Distributor

Ismail Azam – L&C

Zoe Meharg – Mandalay Financial

Don Scott – Heron Financial

New Build

Crystal Collins – The Mortgage Brain

Rodolfo Alexandre Pedro Filipe – L&C

Mark Smith – L&C

Large Loans supported by Coutts

Tom Checkley – Private Finance

Nichola Jomoa – Mortgage Advice Bureau

Sy Nathan – Dynamo

Later Life Lending supported by Family Building Society

Steff Miles – Viva Retirement Solutions

Dan Osman – UK Moneyman

Louise Stevens – Coreco Lifetime

Buy to Let supported by Rely

Rachael Cashin – Mortgage Advice Bureau

Teddy Cenaj – Habito by Monzo

Matthew Evans – Dynamo

First-time Buyer supported by Skipton Building Society for Intermediaries

Samantha Carter – L&C

Paige Green – Private Finance

Jade Sybray – Connells Group

Complex Credit supported by Nottingham Building Society

Ceri Evans – Remoo Mortgages

Michael Lawlor – Mortgage Advice Bureau

Lizzie Markham – Habito by Monzo

Protection

Philip Harrison – Connells Group

Liann Hill – Lifetime Connect

Travis Powell – Heron Financial

General Insurance supported by Uinsure

Patrick Kiernan – Connells Group

James Kirk – Meridian Mortgages

James Taylor – Nest GI

Overall supported by NatWest

Katy Eatenton – Lifetime Mortgages

Donna Ganson – Connells Group

Matthew Moralee – First Mortgage

Administrator supported by Pepper Money

Layla Boydell – L&C

Eleanor Maplethorpe – Mortgage Advice Bureau

Leilani Mullen – Dynamo

Lender

Product Provider: Rising Star supported by Sesame

Tom Brook – Accord Mortgages

Lucy Hughes – April Mortgages

Robin Thiara – Hinckley & Rugby Building Society

Product Provider: Operations/Credit Risk

Derek Burt – Lloyds Banking Group

Glenn Carroll – April Mortgages

Gavin Kyle – Foundation

Product Provider: Telephony Relationship Manager

Melissa Bannon – Lloyds Banking Group

Faye Dermody – Santander for Intermediaries

Steve Smith – HSBC UK

Product Provider: Business Development

Nathan Bridgeman – Nationwide for Intermediaries

Craig Derry- Barclays

Gerard L’Arbalestier – Lloyds Banking Group

Product Provider: Head of Sales or National Accounts supported by PMS

AJ Sahota – Zurich

Aimie Jo Shutt – Santander UK

Richard Walker – Virgin Money & Clydesdale

Business Leader

Development & Innovation Advocate

Kelly Bretherton – L&G (Ignite)

Matt Coulson – Heron Financial

Ying Tan – Habito by Monzo

Specialist Distribution

Michael Craig – Brilliant Solutions

John Doughty – Just Mortgages

Steve Humphries – Mortgage Advice Bureau

Surveyor supported by Mortgage Brain

David Ellison – Pinnacle Surveyors

Joe Miller – Home Surveying

Richard Sexton – Legal & General Surveying Services

Conveyancer

Nick Chadbourne – LMS

Carol Nuttall – Adlington Law

Kevin Tunnicliffe – Sort Group

Protection or General Insurance Provider supported by Primis Mortgage Network

Mark Chappell – CETA Insurance

Julie Godley – L&G

Andy Philo – Vitality

Broker (fewer than 10 advisers)

Natalie Ellis – Steel City Mortgages

Rob Gill – Altura Mortgage Finance

Mark Huby – Yorkshire Financial Services

Broker (11 to 50 advisers)

Will Rhind – Habito by Monzo

Jon Stones – Mortgage 1st

Sarah Tucker – The Mortgage Mum

Broker (over 51 advisers) supported by HSBC UK

Peter Brodnicki – Mortgage Advice Bureau

Mark Harrington – L&C

Karl Wilkinson – Access Financial Services

Mortgage Club supported by BM Solutions

Clare Beardmore – L&G

Claire Cherrington – PMS

Richard Howes – Paradigm Mortgage Services

Network supported by Halifax Intermediaries

Rob Clifford – Stonebridge

Toni Smith – Sesame

Christopher Tanner – HL Partnership

Intermediary Lender (less than 5bn gross lending p.a) supported by L&C

Chris Blewitt – Darlington Building Society

Adrian Moloney – OSB Group

Charles Morley – Metro Bank

Intermediary Lender (£5bn or more gross lending p.a) supported by Mortgage Advice Bureau

Jeremy Duncombe – Accord Mortgages

Charlotte Harrison – Skipton Building Society for Intermediaries

David Morris – Santander UK

2026 Sponsors

2026 Judges

Pepper Money expands HMO criteria and cuts rates

Paul Adams

Sales director, Pepper Money

Louise Apollonio

Head of corporate accounts, The Mortgage Lender

Darren Arulvasagam

Strategic account manager, L&G Home Finance

Jane Atkins

Head of intermediary sales, Kensington Mortgages

Cloë Atkinson

Chief operating officer, Mortgage Brain

Lauren Bagley

Chief distribution officer, Uinsure

The indispensable role of mortgage advisers – Beardmore

Clare Beardmore

Director, L&G Mortgage Club

Jane Benjamin

Director, Connect Mortgages

Paul Broadhead

Head of mortgages and housing, Building Societies Association

Matt Brown

Propositions director, HL Partnership

LBG launches 98% first-time buyer mortgage

Amanda Bryden

Head of Halifax Intermediaries and Scottish Widows Bank, Lloyds Banking Group

Tracie Burton

Senior corporate account manager, HSBC UK

Jo Carrasco

Business partnerships director, Stonebridge

Martese Carton

Head of intermediary distribution, Leeds Building Society

Gurpreet Chahal

Regional sales manager, Accord Mortgages

In uncertain times, landlords will remember the advisers who helped – Charman

Stephanie Charman

Chief executive, AMI

Claire Cherrington

Distribution director for PMS and Bankhall, Sesame Bankhall Group

Louise Colley

Director of retail protection, Zurich

Greg Cunnington

Head of strategic accounts - lender, Legal & General

Darren Deacon

Head of intermediary sales, Family Building Society

Francesco Di Pietro

Head of intermediary mortgages, Newcastle Building Society

NatWest eases additional borrowing process and improves broker portal

Nadine Edwards

Head of NatWest intermediary distribution, NatWest

Ralph Evans

NatWest

Simon Farrell-Roberts

Skipton Building Society for Intermediaries

First-time buyers unaware they need just 5% deposit

Rachel Geddes

Strategic lender relationships director, Mortgage Advice Bureau

Rob Gill

Managing director, Altura

Working in Mortgages EDI Group: Unlocking the power of ex-military talent – Goldie

Nicola Goldie

Head of strategic partnerships and growth, Aldermore

Charlotte Grimshaw

Head of intermediaries, Suffolk Building Society

Faizan Haq

Senior policy manager, Finance Leasing Association

Helen Harrison

Head of sales, Santander for Intermediaries

Primis appoints four regional sales managers to boost broker support

Neil Hoare

Sales director, Primis Mortgage Network

Exclusive: OSB Group promotes Hollands to group head of intermediary sales and distribution

Emily Hollands

Group head of distribution, OSB Group

Rachael Hunnisett

Director of mortgage distribution, April Mortgages

Nasar Hussain

Associate director, intermediated household, Paymentshield

Nottingham BS launches pilot to boost mortgage access for foreign national healthcare workers

Matt Kingston

Sales director, Nottingham Building Society

Gareth Lowman

Director, SPF Prviate Clients

Matt Martin

Head of national accounts, Virgin Money & Clydesdale

Dan Maskell

Risk director, Finance Planning Group

Scott Mcloughlin

Head of intermediary, LV= GI

Kelly Melville-Kelly

Deputy CEO and director of risk, policy and compliance, Equity Release Council

Caroline Mirakian

Proposition and marketing Director, United Trust Bank

Adrian Moloney

Group intermediary director, OSB Group

Andrew Montlake

CEO, Coreco

Charles Morley

Director of mortgage distribution, Metro Bank

Charlotte Nixon

Head of strategic accounts- protection distribution, Aviva

Jamie Page

Head of protection distribution, The Exeter

Sara Palmer

Sales & distribution director, Gen H

Intergenerational trauma and its effect on financial services – Pender

Katie Pender

COO, Target Group

Step One Finance adopts Phoebus Software for mortgage servicing

Richard Pike

Chief sales and marketing officer, Phoebus

Rhys Powell

Head of distribution - interim, Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries

Paul Purewal

Head of intermediary relation, Dudley Building Society

UK Finance’s Roe: how staying calm through unprecedented challenges defined his tenure

Charles Roe

Director of mortgages, UK Finance

Dave Rogers

National partnership manager, Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries

Dom Scott

Managing director, Lifetime Connect

Louisa Sedgwick

Managing director - mortgages, Paragon Bank

Paul Shearman

Proposition director, The Openwork Partnership

Iain Smith

Head of mortgage distribution, Market Harborough Building Society

Melanie Spencer

Growth director, Target Group

Jonathan Stinton

chair, IMLA and head of intermediary relationships, Coventry for Intermediaries

Victoria Thompson

Director, head of strategic partnerships, Barclays

Applications open for LIBF and The Mortgage Mum scholarship

Sarah Tucker

Founder & CEO, The Mortgage Mum

Sidney Wager

Managing director, L&C Mortgages

Nikki Warren-Dean

Leek Building Society

Broker

Rising Star – Distributor
The category is open to employees of businesses that distribute products in the intermediated mortgage channel. This could include, but is not restricted to, employees of mortgage brokers, mortgage networks, mortgage clubs, and distributors of legal, surveying, insurance and other mortgage related products.

Nominees should have up to three years’ experience in the intermediary mortgage market as of January 2025 (not up to 3 years in a new role, having had further experience in the intermediated mortgage channel – whether that is in the mainstream or specialist markets). The award is aimed at those individuals who have made exceptional progress in their respective businesses in the last 12 months. They will have demonstrated first class results, attitude and ambition and have ample evidence that they have consistently overachieved and have taken on further responsibility within the business.

All candidates in the following broker categories must demonstrate that a minimum of 50% of their role involves advising clients.

New Build
The award will go to the adviser who is a true new build expert (over 60% of their business is specifically new build). They will be able to demonstrate the delivery of a significant volume of quality new build business during the last 12 months. They will have a first-class knowledge of the relevant New Homes schemes and will have used their knowledge to effectively engage clients with quality advice in this sector.

Large Loans supported by Coutts
This award will go to the adviser who has made a positive impact in the large loans sector. They will understand the different needs of clients in this part of the market, have delivered significant volumes of business in the £1m plus loan sector, demonstrate strong relationships with multiple high street lenders and private banks and intuitively know how to deliver comprehensive advice to a range of client requirements.

Later Life Lending supported by Family Building Society
Nominees will have proven expertise in dealing with clients in later life. This will include, but is not restricted to, equity release advice, or advice across the wider later life lending product suite. They will demonstrate empathy with clients and an exhaustive knowledge of the changing product spectrum, and the concerns and needs of their client base. Nominees should clearly demonstrate their specialism in this sector.

Buy to Let supported by Rely
The award will go to the adviser who has delivered a consistent level of quality business to lenders over the last 12 months. They will have strong relationships with lenders, a excellent understanding of the buy-to-let market and have demonstrated they are working in the best interest of their clients.

First-time buyer supported by Skipton Building Society for Intermediaries
Nominees will have consistently delivered high quality advice over the last year (over 60% of their business is specifically to first time buyer clients). They will understand the specific needs of the first-time buyer using a high level of product knowledge. They will have also demonstrated their initiative by offering advice on saving, budgeting and the options around parental help.

Complex Credit supported by Nottingham Building Society
This award is aimed at those brokers who concentrate on the prime first charge market, dealing with client with complex income. This includes but is not restricted to borrowers with multiple incomes, self-employed or clients with credit blips. The winner will have good relationships with specialist lenders or the specialist parts within mainstream lenders, a deep understanding of specialist product niches and a proven track record in delivering the most appropriate advice to their customers.

Protection
This award will go to the broker who has performed exceptionally well in protection business in the last 12 months. We would expect advisers to complete a minimum 10 cases a month. The chosen individual will have demonstrated an increase in protection penetration and conversion rates to both new and existing clients, ensuring customers have appropriate cover.

General Insurance supported by Uinsure
This award will go to the broker who has performed exceptionally well in general insurance business in the last 12 months. We would expect advisers to complete a minimum 10 cases a month. The chosen individual will have demonstrated an increase in general insurance penetration and conversion rates to both new and existing clients, ensuring customers have appropriate cover.

Overall supported by NatWest
This award will go to the intermediary who has outshone their peers. Someone who knows where to find the most appropriate products across a mix of customer types, whose customer service is second to none and who has made a clear difference to their firm over the last 12 months.

Administrator supported by Pepper Money
This category is open to individuals in an administrator role at an adviser whose main job function is to process mortgage applications for their firm. This category is not applicable to individuals who are involved in the advice process. The successful candidate will show consistently high-quality case submission, getting it right first time to a broad spectrum of lenders. They will demonstrate a high level of product and criteria knowledge and act with confidence and authority in their dealings with lenders, their adviser colleagues and customers. They will consistently exceed all regulatory and fraud prevention obligations.

Lender

Product Provider – Rising Star

The category is open to employees of mortgage lenders, general insurance and protection providers, legal services providers, and surveyors.
Nominees should have up to three years’ experience in the intermediary mortgage market as of January 2025 (not up to 3 years in a new role, having had further experience in the intermediated mortgage channel – whether that is in the mainstream or specialist markets). The award is aimed at those individuals who have made exceptional progress in their respective businesses in the last 12 months. They will have demonstrated first class results, attitude and ambition and have ample evidence that they have consistently overachieved and have taken on further responsibility within the business.

Product Provider – Operations/Credit Risk
The nominee will have delivered strong initiatives in the last year to improve the quality of business, business standards and overall performance and/or controls within their lender or product provider which demonstrates that they are exceptional in their position. They would be able to demonstrate a clear visible impact that their initiatives have had on the business. This award category is open to anyone with Operations, Credit Risk or Recoveries in their job title (directors, officers or managers).

Product Provider – Telephony Relationship Manager
This award is aimed at those working in a telephony business development role. This individual will have a first class understand of a lenders’/providers’ processes and products and will be able to communicate these in a way that the broker understands. They will quickly understand and promote change in a way that fits the relationship. They will support the brokers’ business and will react and be there for their brokers when required. They will bring energy and passion to their role, displaying genuine advocacy for their brand.

Product Provider – Business Development
The award will be given to the individual responsible for business development, in a face-to-face capacity. This individual will always go the extra mile for their brokers. Someone who is always available, knows their products inside out and offers support and suggestions to the distribution channels they serve. They will take ownership of the relationships, ensuring that they consistently achieve positive results for the intermediary and their business.

Product Provider – Head of Sales or National Accounts supported by L&C Mortgages
The nominee will either manage a sales force that successfully delivers core and cross sales targets and/or design and implement the national/corporate account strategy with key intermediary partners. In either case the nominee must show an extensive understanding of intermediary business models and show that they can deliver value to both Product Provider and intermediary. They should have the ability to act strategically and demonstrate outstanding leadership skills.

Business Leader

Development & Innovation Advocate
Nominees will have demonstrated that they are bringing new thinking and development to any aspect of the process within the intermediated mortgage market. This includes, but is not limited to, technology, product design, training and development, customer contact strategies and business efficiency. The successful person will have made a proven positive impact on their own business in the last 12 months, while delivering change that could potentially have positive implications for the wider market.

Specialist Distribution
This award category will be applicable to those individuals that have demonstrated an exceptional commitment to the specialist arena. They will be able to demonstrate their depth of lender and broker relations and an entrepreneurial spirit which has seen their business adapt to the challenges of the changing specialist landscape.

Surveyor
Nominees will embody the ethos of their firm; delivering a consistently high-quality offering, accurate valuations and reports and a quick and efficient service.

Conveyancer
Nominees will have demonstrated an innovative approach to problems, while pushing for a speedy and faultless service to clients. They will also have demonstrated a desire to contribute to a more efficient homebuying process. This category is open to both leaders of conveyancing firms and leaders of a conveyancing platform that directly facilities the delivery of the conveyancing function.

Protection or General Insurance Provider
The nominees for this award will have demonstrated effective leadership of their business over the last 12 months. They will be able to show growth in sales and illustrate how their actions have helped embed insurance advice into the fabric of the mortgage intermediary channel. This category is open to both leaders of Protection or GI providers and also leaders of a Protection/GI platform that directly facilities the delivery of Protection/GI sales.

Broker (fewer than 10 advisers)
Nominees will have improved their firms standing through effective management and will have over the last 12 months made their business model more robust and valuable. Nominees may have also made an impact on the market outside of their firm over the last 12 months. Someone who has delivered consistently for their firm, but who has also worked for the good of the intermediary market itself.

Broker (11 to 50 advisers)
Nominees will have improved their firms standing through effective management and will have over the last 12 months made their business model more robust and valuable. Nominees may have also made an impact on the market outside of their firm over the last 12 months. Someone who has delivered consistently for their firm, but who has also worked for the good of the intermediary market itself.

Broker (over 51 advisers) supported by HSBC UK
Nominees will have improved their firms standing through effective management and will have over the last 12 months made their business model more robust and valuable. Nominees may have also made an impact on the market outside of their firm over the last 12 months. Someone who has delivered consistently for their firm, but who has also worked for the good of the intermediary market itself.

Mortgage Club supported by BM Solutions
The successful nominee will be someone who has successfully managed their business in the last 12 months, who understands the needs of both brokers and lenders and delivers a proposition that adds value to both parties.

Network supported by Halifax Intermediaries
This award will go to the nominee who has led their firm very effectively over the last 12 months, whether this is strengthening their lender relations, launching new services for ARs or taking a stand on issues that affect members.

Intermediary Lender (less than £5bn gross lending p.a)
This award is for a star performer who is successfully running their business, which lends less than £5bn gross per year, with great leadership and authority. They will have shown a willingness to work with all parties to sustain and evolve the marketplace.

Intermediary Lender (£5bn or more gross lending p.a)
This award is for a standout individual who provides leadership and authority. They will have overseen growth in their business in the last 12 months and shown a willingness to work with all parties to sustain and evolve the marketplace.

The Lifetime Achievement Award

The winner will be someone who is acknowledged by many to have devoted themselves to the sector for a significant period of time, and who has made a significant and positive difference to the market.

NB: Please note Our Lifetime Achievement Award category is not open to public nominations. The shortlist and judging are carried out by the editorial and publishing teams at Mortgage Solutions.

2025 Winners

BROKER

Broker: Rising Star – Distributor supported by Vida Homeloans

Emma Atkinson – L&C Mortgages

Winner’s Comments:

This was a very difficult category to judge, with a high level of candidates who were commended by all the judges. However, Emma won because of her authentic passion for delivering good customer outcomes through service excellence.

Broker: New Build supported by Leeds Building Society

Ben Walker – Mortgage Advice Bureau

Winner’s Comments:

Ben has an infectious passion for what he does, taking a sincere, customer-centric approach to his work and is always there for colleagues and clients, as well as being hugely knowledgeable. It’s clear this is more than just a role for him.

Broker: Large Loans supported by Coutts

Rahul Nath – L&C Mortgages

Winner’s Comments:

Rahul was a very strong candidate. He is an individual who operates across the spectrum of high-net-worth clients and influences policies with lenders, his business and the wider market.

Broker: Later Life Lending supported by Family Building Society

Louise Stevens – Coreco Lifetime

Winner’s Comments:

Louise takes a wider, collaborative approach and embodies true later life advising, looking at all solutions for her clients.

Broker: Buy to Let supported by Coventry for Intermediaries

Teddy Cenaj – Habito

Winner’s Comments:

Teddy provides an impressive technical depth of knowledge, with almost 500 buy-to-let submissions making him a well-rounded expert. He also works closely with lenders to effect change across the sector.

Broker: First-time Buyer supported by Skipton Building Society for Intermediaries

Carmen Green – Xpress Mortgages

Winner’s Comments:

Carmen is passionate, caring and identified the vulnerability of first-time buyers. She is an authentic champion of the first-time buyer and used her own experience and desire to get on the housing ladder to empathise with her clients.

Broker: Complex Credit supported by Nottingham Building Society

Ceri Evans – Remoo Mortgages

Winner’s Comments:

This category was extremely close between all three finalists; the judges said this was the highest calibre category they’ve ever judged. Ceri eventually edged it as a champion for customers with difficult circumstances, with her consummate knowledge of the industry and also her work lobbying at government level for the good of the customer.

Broker: Protection supported by HSBC Life

Rhys Walker – Habito

Winner’s Comments:

Rhys demonstrated a keen awareness of the impact of his advice on clients, making everything as clear and simple as possible, and cutting through the jargon. He impressed the judges with his passion for income protection, alongside the work he’s done within the business to grow this area.

Broker: General Insurance supported by Uinsure

Scott Malpas – Just Mortgages

Winner’s Comments:

Scott demonstrated impressive self-generation of leads, a customer-centric approach, and an authentic belief in general insurance, which is exactly what the sector wants to develop in advisers.

Broker: Overall supported by NatWest

Adam Thomas – Thomas Group Financial Services

Winner’s Comments:

Adam demonstrated a clear customer focus whilst embracing and delivering through technology to enhance the customer journey. He is committed to educating the public on the home-buying process.

Broker: Administrator supported by Pepper Money

Mark Donnigan – L&C Mortgages

Winner’s Comments:

Kind, inclusive, and deeply passionate about the industry, Mark pairs strong knowledge with a drive to succeed — always celebrating the success of others along the way.

LENDER

Lender: Rising Star – Product Provider supported by Sesame & PMS

Andrew Miller – Lloyds Banking Group

Winner’s Comments:

A tight category of exceptional stars, but Andrew took his knowledge and passion further to help more people. He is clearly thinking beyond just the lender and aiming to implement positive change across the whole market.

Lender: Operations/Credit Risk supported by Phoebus Software

Diane Harrison – Skipton Building Society for Intermediaries

Winner’s Comments:

Diane has made considerable progress in changing the outdated perception of the lender risk function and has applied her enthusiasm and focus to make real change.

Lender: Telephony Relationship Manager supported by Target Group

Joe Geldart – HSBC UK

Winner’s Comments:

Joe clearly demonstrated his ability to influence change at all levels and was able to effectively articulate the voice of the broker into his organisation to ensure the continual development of the proposition. His passion was evident, as one judge commented.

Lender: Business Development supported by Alexander Hall Associates

Sim Sahota – Barclays

Winner’s Comments:

Sim described his version of exceptional service as ‘supporting brokers in ways that they didn’t realise they needed support with’ and this set the benchmark. He is a focused individual who always gives a holistic view, with a clear mindset of doing the right thing for each broker partner.

Lender: Head of Sales or National Accounts supported by L&C Mortgages

Alan Longhorn – Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries

Winner’s Comments:

Alan is a passionate leader who wears his heart on his sleeve, driving operational efficiency while leading from the front. His clear focus on service and colleague development sets a powerful example.

BUSINESS LEADER

Business Leader: Development & Innovation Advocate supported by PEXA

Toni Roberts – Accord Mortgages

Winner’s Comments:

Toni is an innovative and determined professional who embraced the opportunity to deliver genuine impact. She is passionate about supporting underserved customers, breaking barriers and building a lasting legacy through true customer-centricity.

Business Leader: Specialist Distribution supported by OSB Group

Liz Syms – Connect for Intermediaries

Winner’s Comments:

Liz is a passionate and visionary leader whose deep industry expertise and innovative approach are driving real growth and transformational change. She is a standout leader when it comes to building impactful partnerships and shaping the future.

Business Leader: Surveyor supported by Mortgage Brain

Joe Miller – Home Surveying

Winner’s Comments:

Joe is leading an innovative and highly respected surveying practice and his people-centric approach has delivered impressive results and real innovation. His incredible enthusiasm is infectious, according to our judges.

Business Leader: Conveyancer supported by Loans Warehouse

Dev Malle – Simplify

Winner’s Comments:

The impressive business results over the last 12 months speak for themselves, but what made Dev stand out was his obvious commitment to improving the conveyancing process, his passion for doing the right thing, and his commitment to improve the wider market.

Business Leader: Protection or General Insurance Provider supported by Primis Mortgage Network

Julie Godley – L&G

Winner’s Comments:

Julie is a humble yet passionate champion of the industry, known for empowering others and delivering meaningful change through support and vision. She is a true force and makes a positive impact.

Business Leader: Broker (fewer than 10 advisers) supported by Barclays

Lea Karasavvas – Prolific Mortgage Finance

Winner’s Comments:

Lea is a passionate and resilient individual whose infectious positivity and humility shine through. Proudly supportive and quietly inspiring, he has faced adversity with strength and continues to lift those around him.

Business Leader: Broker (11 to 50 advisers) supported by NatWest

Jon Stones – Mortgage 1st

Winner’s Comments:

A really close category of exceptional leaders, but Jon stood out with a business performance that demonstrated growth and diversification, a culture that focuses on people before results, and an ambition and commitment to his firm and market that was really impressive.

Business Leader: Broker (over 51 advisers) supported by HSBC UK

Peter Brodnicki – Mortgage Advice Bureau

Winner’s Comments:

Peter is a leader who goes above and beyond when delivering a solution, by always thinking about what benefit that solution should really deliver for the customer. Changes he has made to the culture in the business show that he recognises the importance of people as the differentiator to success.

Business Leader: Mortgage Club supported by BM Solutions

Clare Beardmore – L&G Mortgage Club

Winner’s Comments:

Clare came across as truly authentic and deeply proud of her team. She takes her responsibility as a leader seriously, with a strong focus on fostering a positive and inclusive culture within the business. Clare has built a team that is not only forward-driving but also deeply connected to both brokers and lenders, creating a powerful and cohesive force within the industry.

Business Leader: Network supported by Halifax Intermediaries

Rob Clifford – Stonebridge

Winner’s Comments:

Rob shared a truly compelling story and impressed the judges with the significant contributions he has made to the industry beyond his day-to-day role. His passion and enthusiasm were infectious throughout the interview, leaving a lasting impression.

Business Leader: Intermediary Lender (less than £5bn gross lending p.a) supported by One Mortgage System

Adrian Moloney – OSB Group

Winner’s Comments:

This category was incredibly tough to judge, with an outstanding calibre of finalists. One judge described it as a ‘heavyweight battle’. Ultimately, Adrian stood out for his genuine humility and the clear pride he has taken in his achievements over the past year. His unwavering dedication to supporting the intermediary community truly sets him apart.

Business Leader: Intermediary Lender (£5bn or more gross lending p.a) supported by Mortgage Advice Bureau

Charlotte Harrison – Skipton Building Society for Intermediaries

Winner’s Comments:

Charlotte impressed the judges with her genuine focus on her team and the individuals within it. She demonstrated openness, honesty, and a deep sense of humility. Her commitment to supporting the intermediary market and placing the customer at the heart of everything she does was clear. The admiration she expressed for her team shone through.

Lifetime achievement award

Lisa Martin

Winner’s Comments:

This year, we’re honouring Lisa Martin and her 45-year career in financial services. Though she initially aspired to a sports career and left school at 16, a teacher steered her towards banking. Starting in branch banking in 1980, she later moved through influential roles at Coventry Building Society, Commercial Union, Aviva, Bankhall, PMS, and Sesame, eventually joining the Financial Services Executive Team at LSL in 2015.

Lisa played a key role in growing the TMA Mortgage Club and was active in promoting Diversity & Inclusion, serving on the AMI Board and as Deputy Chair. Known for her integrity, leadership, and people skills, Lisa has built a respected and impactful legacy. Now stepping back in 2025, she leaves behind a significant mark on the industry while embracing some well-earned personal time.

2025 Video Highlights

Voting Criteria

The British Mortgage Award winners are nominated by people from across the spectrum of the UK mortgage industry. The winners were selected using a transparent, robust, three-tier process designed to make selection as fair and independent as possible.

The process

The first stage of the process is an invitation to the industry to nominate the individuals deemed worthy of recognition for their achievements over the last 12 months (please note that all nominations received from members of the public, including customers, will not be counted).

Once the first phase of the process is closed a shortlist is drawn up in each category based on the number and spread of nominations for a particular individual. A weighting system is applied to the overall number of nominations cast to ensure greater emphasis is placed on the relevant nominations cast from outside the nominees’ own business. Please note that there is a cap of 5 nominations received from within the nominees’ business.

Those nominees that make the shortlist of 3 in each category are then asked to submit a supporting testimonial based on the following criteria:

The key achievements they have delivered in the last 12 months. In this context, this may include, but not be restricted to, new initiatives they have delivered in the last 12 months which have improved service levels, internal processes or customer outcomes. It also includes any positive contributions they have made to the prosperity of the wider market beyond their own business performance.

An indication of their successful business performance over the last 12 months. This could be measured in growth in transaction volumes and/or profit versus the previous year, but also, depending on the relevance of the category, include further performance indicators such as an increase in positive feedback from either clients or lenders that demonstrates both the right customer outcomes and improved business partner relations, or an increase in business won by recommendation, or increasing net promoter scores or reducing customer complaints, or the delivery of any change and innovation that has had a positive effect on the business beyond just financial results. This will also include commitment to the ESG agenda and in particular a proactive approach to improving Diversity & Inclusion within their own business or across the wider market.
Reasons why they should win the award

A respected industry panel is used for the next stage of the process.

The judges are handpicked for their experience and knowledge of the market and are a representative sample of providers, distributors and supporting services who can give a reasoned and balanced view on each of the candidates on the shortlists.

We conduct the judging remotely, with interviews taking place over Zoom. Each finalist will be invited to attend a 15-minute interview on either the 4th or 5th June.

One of the awards is decided separately. Our Lifetime Achievement Award is chosen by the Mortgage Solutions publishing team and is given to the key industry figure that has made a significant contribution to the intermediary market above and beyond their day-to-day role over a significant number of years.