Award

The British Mortgage Awards 2025

Venue

Timings

2025 Categories

Voting Criteria

Judges

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London

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

Park Plaza Westminster Bridge London

Timings

2025 Categories

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’ total experience in the mortgage market as of January 2025 (not up to 3 years in a new role, having had further experience in the intermediated or direct mortgage channels – 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 sponsored 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 sponsored 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 sponsored by Coventry for Intermediaries
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 sponsored 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 sponsored by The 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 sponsored by HSBC Life
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 sponsored 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 sponsored 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 sponsored 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

Rising Star – Product Provider sponsored by L&C Mortgages

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 mortgage market as of January 2025 (not up to 3 years in a new role, having had further experience in the intermediated or direct mortgage channels – 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.

Operations/Credit Risk sponsored by Phoebus
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 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).

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.

Business Development sponsored by Alexander Hall
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.

Head of Sales or National Accounts
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 lender 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 sponsored by OSB Group
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 sponsored by Mortgage Brain
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) sponsored by Barclays
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) sponsored by NatWest
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) sponsored 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 sponsored 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 sponsored 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) sponsored by One Mortgage System
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) sponsored by Mortgage Advice Bureau
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.

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.

Judges

Paul Adams

Pepper Money

Jane Atkins

Kensington Mortgages

Clare Beardmore

Director, Legal & General Mortgage Club

Beverley Bradford

TBS

James Briffitt

Nationwide

Paul Broadhead

Building Societies Association

Amanda Bryden

Halifax Intermediaries

Tracie Burton

HSBC UK

Jo Carrasco

Stonebridge

Martese Carton

Leeds Building Society

Gurpreet Chahal

Accord Mortgages

Stephanie Charman

AMI

Rob Clifford

Stonebridge

Louise Colley

Zurich

Greg Cunnington

Legal & General

Stephanie Daley

Alexander Hall Associates

Darren Deacon

Family Building Society

Nadine Edwards

NatWest

Tony Field

Dynamo

Chris Flowers

Royal London

Rachel Geddes

Mortgage Advice Bureau

Nicola Goldie

Aldermore

Richard Goppy

Paradigm Mortgage Services

Faizan Haq

Finance Leasing Association

Mark Harrington

L&C Mortgages

Helen Harrison

Santander for Intermediaries

Mark Hollands

Bluestone Mortgages

Nasar Hussain

Paymentshield

Matt Kingston

Nottingham Building Society

Alan Longhorn

Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries

Gareth Lowman

SPF Prviate Clients

Matt Martin

Virgin Money

Caroline Mirakian

United Trust Bank

Kelly Melville-Kelly

Equity Release Council

Andrew Montlake

Coreco

Adrian Moloney

OSB Group

Charles Morley

Metro Bank

Sara Palmer

The Mortgage Lender

Cameron Parsons

Uinsure

Chris Pearson

HSBC UK

Richard Pike

Phoebus

Martin Reynolds

Simply Biz

Louisa Sedgwick

Paragon

Paul Shearman

The Openwork Partnership

Iain Smith

Market Harborough Building Society

Oliver Smith

Vida Homeloans

Melanie Spencer

Target Group

Mark Toms

HSBC Life

Sponsors

2024 Winners

Broker: Administrator supported by Pepper Money

Bobbie Carter, L&C Mortgages

Winner’s comments: A clear problem solver. In her day job, she delivers fantastic results across all measures, but also goes above and beyond to help the wider team deliver great customer outcomes.

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

Sharon Duckworth, Key Mortgage Advice

Winner’s comments: A driven leader who delivers impressive results and who is a trailblazer for inspiring more successful women into the industry.

Broker: Rising Star – Distributor supported by Coventry for Intermediaries

Hollie Stinson, Alexander Hall Associates

Winner’s comments: She has a thorough appreciation and understanding of Consumer Duty, vulnerable customers and delivering the best outcome for the client. She evidenced her achievements competently and showed great passion for the industry.

Lender: Rising Star – Product Provider supported by L&C Mortgages

Tina Cooper, Lloyds Banking Group

Winner’s comments: This category was very close and the judges deliberated for some time to find their overall winner. Tina’s own experiences have pushed her along in her mission to make a difference to the UK housing market. Her enthusiasm and authenticity really shone through in her interview.

Business Leader: Conveyancer supported by Coadjute

Doug Crawford, Simply Conveyancing

Winner’s comments: This winner was very impressive and clearly brought scale in what he is delivering. One judge remarked, he was ‘doing the doing’ and delivering benefits across the industry.

Broker: Later Life Lending supported by Family Building Society

Darren Johncock, LDN Finance

Winner’s comments: His passion for education is an example to the industry. He has genuine care for the customer and the judges would want him in front of a family member.

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

Andrew Montlake, Coreco

Winner’s comments: The judges felt that this winner was a champion for the future. He wears his heart on his sleeve and they questioned where he manages to find the time to do all of the things he does. His commitment to the industry is second to none and he epitomises his company’s culture and values.

Broker: Complex Credit supported by Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries

Ceri Evans, Remoo Mortgages

Winner’s comments: Our winner demonstrated a broad knowledge from a broad lender base. He clearly knew how to manage customer expectations, particularly those who display signs of vulnerability, ensuring they are well-informed and understand all the options available to them.

Business Leader: Surveyor supported by Nottingham Building Society

Matthew Cumber, Countrywide Surveying Services

Winner’s comments: The judges mentioned that this candidate showed a strong passion for leading the business and genuinely striving to make a difference to their customers.

Lender: Telephony Relationship Manager supported by Just Mortgages

Megan Davies, HSBC UK

Winner’s comments: This was a very close category and all candidates clearly had a huge pride in what they do. It was, however, obvious that Megan had unbridled passion for her role and first-class relationships with her brokers.

Business Leader: Specialist Distribution supported by OSB Group

Craig Hall, LSL Financial Services

Winner’s comments: A leader who is very focused on the customer and who has a clear vision to collaborate with and influence the wider market to promote and develop the new-build sector for the benefit of all.

Broker: General Insurance supported by Uinsure

Sarah-Jane Ashdown, Just Mortgages

Winner’s comments: An impressive winner who has produced amazing figures and is clearly passionate about delivering the right customer outcomes.

Business Leader: Protection or General Insurance Provider supported by AMI

Louise Colley, Zurich

Winner’s comments: A really energetic leader who demonstrates phenomenal determination to lead change within their business and the wider market. A true force of nature.

Broker: Protection supported by HSBC Life

Sam Salim, Alexander Hall Associates

Winner’s comments: Passionate, articulate and professional was how the judges described Sam. Someone who clearly knows their subject and does not stop short of giving clients the best protection solutions.

Lender: Head of Sales or National Accounts supported by PRIMIS Mortgage Network

Amanda Bryden, Halifax Intermediaries

Winner’s comments:An outstanding individual who has the tenacity to instigate change for the enhancement of the lender/adviser relationship. Her leadership ensures that her teams are always adding value to drive better customer outcomes.

Lender: Business Development supported by Alexander Hall Associates

Liz Yiangou, Barclays

Winner’s comments: This winner gave the judges goosebumps. She clearly always wants to do the best for her brokers and others. She has a desire to influence and act as an inspiration to other females within the industry. Her passion was second to none and her focus on D&l and spreading awareness was key.

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

Sonya Matharu, The Mortgage Mum

Winner’s comments: The winner’s devotion to this sector was encapsulated in the following statement. “First-time buyers are the beginning of the lifecycle. They are often misunderstood, so it is vital to provide them a safe space for advice and comfort to help them take their first step onto the property ladder.”

Business Leader: Development & Innovation Advocate supported by Mortgage Brain

Claire Cherrington, Lloyds Banking Group

Winner’s comments: A leader with a clear vision and sense of purpose of how her success can positively influence the wider market. She is an empowering leader who develops and inspires their teams to flourish.

Broker: New Build supported by Barclays

Scott Richford, Mortgage Advice Bureau

Winner’s comments: Very client-focused. Impressive depth of knowledge of all available schemes and an acute understanding of what changes could improve the new-build market.

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

Peter Brodnicki, Mortgage Advice Bureau

Winner’s comments: The judges remarked that this winner waits for nothing to come to him, as he will always get it himself. He is relentless with his evolution programme and continually looks forward. His impact on the market outside of his firm was clear and his knowledge was second to none.

Lender: Operations/Credit Risk supported by Phoebus

Derek Burt, Lloyds Banking Group

Winner’s comments: Our winner made it clear he would not ‘settle’ in his role. He was hugely knowledgeable, and his passion was clear. The importance he placed on supporting both the broker and the customer was obvious.

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

Charles Morley, Metro Bank

Winner’s comments: Charles led the business in an extremely challenging time with genuine empathy, enthusiasm and passion – with a smile on his face throughout.

Business Leader: Mortgage Club supported by BM Solutions

Alex Beavis, PMS

Winner’s comments: A very closely run contest; judges deliberated for a long time. Our winner demonstrated a personal impact on a number of successful achievements for the club and has taken it in a clear direction over the past 12 months.

Broker: Buy to Let supported by Mortgage Solutions

David Gissing, LDN Finance

Winner’s comments: David understands the value in building relationships with lenders to help clients and has a deep understanding of criteria. An all-round professional approach to advising clients for best outcomes.

Business Leader: Network supported by Halifax Intermediaries

Vikki Jefferies, PRIMIS Mortgage Network

Winner’s comments: The winner ultimately stood out due to not only impressive leadership within the business but wider market influence and impact.

Broker: Large Loans supported by Coutts

Sy Nathan, Dynamo

Winner’s comments: It was a really close contest between two of the finalists, but Sy’s hunger and passion shone through, with an impressive commercial performance, and strong relationships with multiple lenders and banks.

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: She demonstrated impressive individual leadership characteristics, championing genuine innovation for the benefit of the market and demonstrating empathy to every member of the business.

Broker: Overall supported by NatWest

Kirsty Dudek, Lavender Mortgages

Winner’s comments: Customer-centric, team-focused and a key part of the local community, Kirsty is always adapting and navigating their business into an impressive position, even at a challenging time.

Lifetime Achievement supported by One Mortgage System

Alison Pallett, The Nottingham for Intermediaries

Winner’s comments: The recipient of this year’s Lifetime Achievement Award started their career in mortgages in the early nineties as an in-branch financial adviser in a building society.

Their talent, drive and determination were quickly spotted, and they were promoted to branch manager within a year.

In 1997, Alison was appointed to a national sales role and started forging relationships that have both endured and developed in her long career.

During 25 years with the same lender, she had a variety of roles that gave her experience of a broad range of disciplines including underwriting, product design and sales and marketing. It was therefore no surprise that she progressed to managing director of consumer lending and then director of sales, a role in which she brought the lender back into the intermediary market after a period on the side lines, following the credit crunch.

In 2019, Alison moved to a start-up in a specialist part of the mortgage industry – later life lending. Helping the new lender establish an intermediary footprint from scratch, developing and delivering the sales strategy and in the process becoming a respected voice in the field.

After three-and-a-half years, Alison moved back to the mutual world, joining a regional building society under a dynamic new CEO, with a remit to power up and professionalise the sales effort and lead the society into new areas and widen and deepen key relationships.

Arguably the only questionable thing about Alison is her golf handicap, as she is not just respected, but deeply loved by many people in the market. She has been a mentor to many of the current industry leaders. Known not to shy away from difficult conversations, she has been a long-term supporter of DE&I in every role she has worked.

Alison is not just a good egg; she is a great egg. Her influence on those she has encountered in her time is best described as considerable, considerate and constructive.

The British Mortgage Awards 2024

Contact

For sponsorship queries

Andy Morris

Head of sales

For event queries

Victoria Bailiss

Head of events

‘Shift in industry sentiment’ on inappropriate behaviour is positive, AE3 Media’s Moore says

For event queries

Danielle Moore

Operations director

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