The aim of The Specialist Lending Event is to help advisers boost industry acumen, product knowledge and enable strategic thinking for their business.
You can expect a packed agenda of presentations and panel discussions at any of our four event venues, which will help deepen your understanding and knowledge of the specialist parts of the market in which you currently operate or might consider in the future. The entire event also prioritises time for first class business networking between attendees, speakers and exhibitors in the specialist lending market.
Please email lizzie.finch@ae3media.co.uk if you are interested in attending our 2027 event.
09.35 – 09.55
Redefining the mortgage landscape – putting specialist at the forefront
The UK’s property and lending landscape is being affected by economic, social and regulatory changes. Key economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation and unemployment will play a continued role in shaping borrower behaviour, affordability and access to finance. As the cost-of-living crisis persists, with stagnant wage growth and rising household expenses, consumers will continue to rethink their approach to debt, property ownership and financial planning. This session will explore the economic shifts, evolving borrower profiles and regulatory reform that are affecting specialist lending and advice.
Ryan Brailsford, director of business development, Pepper Money
09.55 – 10.50
Roundtable discussions
The roundtable discussions, hosted by our event sponsors, will offer advisers the opportunity to hear directly from lenders and providers on the latest developments shaping the specialist lending market, from emerging trends and regulatory changes to innovative products and evolving customer needs.
11.20 – 11.50
The new rules of engagement – positioning and competitiveness within the specialist market
Hiten Ganatra, managing director, Visionary Finance
Scott Howitt, sales director, Chartwell Mortgage Services
Kunal Mehta, managing director, SDKA
Moderated by: Jason Berry, group sales director, Crystal Specialist Finance
11.50 – 12.45
Roundtable discussions
The roundtable discussions, hosted by our event sponsors, will offer advisers the opportunity to hear directly from lenders and providers on the latest developments shaping the specialist lending market, from emerging trends and regulatory changes to innovative products and evolving customer needs.
12.50 – 13.10
AI, automation and the customer journey – what can technology do for you?
Frazer Campbell, co-founder and CRO, Brickflow
14.15
Close of conference
09.35 – 09.55
Redefining the mortgage landscape – putting specialist at the forefront
The UK’s property and lending landscape is being affected by economic, social and regulatory changes. Key economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation and unemployment will play a continued role in shaping borrower behaviour, affordability and access to finance. As the cost-of-living crisis persists, with stagnant wage growth and rising household expenses, consumers will continue to rethink their approach to debt, property ownership and financial planning. This session will explore the economic shifts, evolving borrower profiles and regulatory reform that are affecting specialist lending and advice.
Ryan Brailsford, director of business development, Pepper Money
09.55 – 10.50
Roundtable discussions
The roundtable discussions, hosted by our event sponsors, will offer advisers the opportunity to hear directly from lenders and providers on the latest developments shaping the specialist lending market, from emerging trends and regulatory changes to innovative products and evolving customer needs.
11.20 – 11.50
The new rules of engagement – positioning and competitiveness within the specialist market
Hiten Ganatra, managing director, Visionary Finance
Scott Howitt, sales director, Chartwell Mortgage Services
Kunal Mehta, managing director, SDKA
Moderated by: Jason Berry, group sales director, Crystal Specialist Finance
11.50 – 12.45
Roundtable discussions
The roundtable discussions, hosted by our event sponsors, will offer advisers the opportunity to hear directly from lenders and providers on the latest developments shaping the specialist lending market, from emerging trends and regulatory changes to innovative products and evolving customer needs.
12.50 – 13.10
AI, automation and the customer journey – what can technology do for you?
Frazer Campbell, co-founder and CRO, Brickflow
14.15
Close of conference
09.35 – 09.55
Redefining the mortgage landscape – putting specialist at the forefront
The UK’s property and lending landscape is being affected by economic, social and regulatory changes. Key economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation and unemployment will play a continued role in shaping borrower behaviour, affordability and access to finance. As the cost-of-living crisis persists, with stagnant wage growth and rising household expenses, consumers will continue to rethink their approach to debt, property ownership and financial planning. This session will explore the economic shifts, evolving borrower profiles and regulatory reform that are affecting specialist lending and advice.
Ryan Brailsford, director of business development, Pepper Money
09.55 – 11.00
Roundtable discussions
The roundtable discussions, hosted by our event sponsors, will offer advisers the opportunity to hear directly from lenders and providers on the latest developments shaping the specialist lending market, from emerging trends and regulatory changes to innovative products and evolving customer needs.
11.30 – 12.00
The new rules of engagement – positioning and competitiveness within the specialist market
Hiten Ganatra, managing director, Visionary Finance
Scott Howitt, sales director, Chartwell Mortgage Services
Alison Newsome, portfolio manager, SDKA
Moderated by: Jason Berry, group sales director, Crystal Specialist Finance
12.00 – 12.20
AI, automation and the customer journey – what can technology do for you?
Frazer Campbell, co-founder and CRO, Brickflow
13.25
Close of conference
09.35 – 09.55
Redefining the mortgage landscape – putting specialist at the forefront
The UK’s property and lending landscape is being affected by economic, social and regulatory changes. Key economic indicators such as GDP growth, inflation and unemployment will play a continued role in shaping borrower behaviour, affordability and access to finance. As the cost-of-living crisis persists, with stagnant wage growth and rising household expenses, consumers will continue to rethink their approach to debt, property ownership and financial planning. This session will explore the economic shifts, evolving borrower profiles and regulatory reform that are affecting specialist lending and advice.
Ryan Brailsford, director of business development, Pepper Money
09.55 – 10.35
Roundtable discussions
The roundtable discussions, hosted by our event sponsors, will offer advisers the opportunity to hear directly from lenders and providers on the latest developments shaping the specialist lending market, from emerging trends and regulatory changes to innovative products and evolving customer needs.
11.05 – 11.35
The new rules of engagement – positioning and competitiveness within the specialist market
Scott Howitt, sales director, Chartwell Mortgage Services
Alex Swan, deputy head of underwriting and head of AI, SDKA
Moderated by: Jason Berry, group sales director, Crystal Specialist Finance
11.35 – 12.15
Roundtable discussions
The roundtable discussions, hosted by our event sponsors, will offer advisers the opportunity to hear directly from lenders and providers on the latest developments shaping the specialist lending market, from emerging trends and regulatory changes to innovative products and evolving customer needs.
12.20 – 12.40
AI, automation and the customer journey – what can technology do for you?
Frazer Campbell, co-founder and CRO, Brickflow
13.45
Close of conference
Affirmative
Website
Affirmative is a Manchester-based lender offering development and bridging finance throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
It has been trading since 2004 and is on the panels of all the major mortgage networks, clubs and packagers. It’s also a patron of the NACFB and FIBA and a member of the BDLA.
Affirmative lends its own money and will look at funding cases from £20,000 to £5M.
It will lend up to 75% LTV, lends on a first and second charge basis and offers both regulated and non-regulated loans.
The lender specialises in regulated self builds, barn conversions, auction purchases, unmortgageable properties, time-critical completions, challenging planning / legal cases and other short-term solutions.
Affirmative lends across the residential, semi-commercial and commercial markets.
Aldermore
Website
At Aldermore we know not all clients fit a one-size-fits-all model and require a more specialist approach.
That’s why our experienced team of manual underwriters assess each client’s circumstances on a case-by-case basis, giving us more of an opportunity to help them to find the right mortgage, whatever their circumstances.
Aldermore supports a wide range of people, including first-time buyers with low deposits, the self-employed whose finances aren’t simple and straight forward, homeowners looking for a better remortgage deal, landlords big or small looking to start or grow their property portfolio, and borrowers with less than perfect credit.
Bath Building Society
Website
Bath Building Society has a specialist approach to mortgage lending, offering innovative products your customers might find tricky to find elsewhere – specialising in mortgages for first-time buyers, students and older borrowers.
Pop along to the Bath Building Society stand to have a chat about how a spare room can help your customers afford the mortgage they need. The Rent-A-Room (lodger) products can improve affordability up to a maximum of eight times income by using future rental income towards affordability calculations.
A flexible, common-sense approach to underwriting means the lender is willing to consider cases that fall outside of standard criteria. Applications are individually assessed by its underwriting team with no automated credit scoring.
Black & White Bridging
Website
Launched in April 2021, Black & White Bridging is an award-winning specialist lender. Operating in the short-term market, Black & White offers brokers a truly transparent market-leading proposition with no grey areas, backed up by consistent service with fast lending decisions. As a leading disruptor, Black & White aims to shake up and drive the market positively through its high-visibility stance on service to brokers.
Buckinghamshire Building Society
Website
Buckinghamshire Building Society has been helping people achieve homeownership since 1907.
As a mutually owned, independent Society based in the beautiful village of Chalfont St Giles, it is proud to do things The Bucks Way – combining a personal, human approach with specialist mortgage expertise.
It lends predominantly through intermediaries and truly values the strong relationships it has built with brokers over the years.
The lender’s manual underwriting and flexible criteria means it can support a wide range of borrowers, from first-time buyers to applicants with credit blips and everything in between – even when circumstances are a little out of the ordinary.
Working together with its broker partners, Buckinghamshire Building Society aims to find solutions that help people own their home, no matter what stage of life they’re at.
Connect for Intermediaries
Website
Connect for Intermediaries supports mortgage and finance professionals in helping their clients access the right solutions for their property and financial needs.
Established in 1998, Connect has more than 27 years’ experience and is an award-winning network with extensive expertise across the specialist lending market.
Connect Network members benefit from access to a panel of over 200 lenders and protection providers, combining extensive specialist lending expertise with a broad range of mainstream and complex solutions. Its strong lender relationships, market knowledge and specialist support help advisers confidently place more cases and meet a wider range of client needs.
Brokers outside the Connect Network can also access this expertise through Connect’s referral and Specialist Placement Team services. Cases can either be referred to Connect’s specialists or supported through placement and packaging, allowing brokers to retain the client relationship while benefiting from Connect’s lender knowledge and access to specialist and exclusive products.
Connect IFA Ltd operates under two brands: Connect Mortgages for consumers and Connect for Intermediaries for the broker market.
Crystal Specialist Finance
Website
Crystal Specialist Finance is an award-winning UK specialist finance company, supporting intermediaries with solutions across bridging, buy-to-let, commercial, development finance, complex residential mortgages and second charges.
Renowned for consistently delivering outstanding service to brokers nationwide, Crystal is focused on making complex lending simpler. By combining deep technical expertise with a clear, pragmatic approach, the business provides brokers with reliable, profitable and transparent outcomes for the most challenging cases.
While commercial success remains a core objective, Crystal’s executive team is equally committed to building a sustainable, people-first business. The company places strong emphasis on attracting, developing and retaining talent across the UK, and actively promotes a culture rooted in respect, diversity and inclusion. It recognises that great outcomes for brokers and customers start with a supported and engaged team.
Fluent
Website
Fluent Money are a multi award winning business and the UK’s largest specialist broker. Our suite of products includes secured loans, mortgages, buy to let, equity release, bridging and commercial.
We have an excellent reputation and relationship with our Lenders and we use this to create additional products in areas where we can see customers are being underserved.
We continue to take a strong message to the intermediary sector via our field account managers and our team of internal business development officers, championing the use of specialist lending products.
The Fluent Money Group represents the best example of a modern specialist brokerage.
Foundation
Website
Foundation is built to support brokers with the clarity, structure and real-world insight that specialist lending demands. Backed by more than 25 years of experience, its breadth of expertise and flexible approach help bring structure to complex cases. Dedicated sales and underwriting teams, combined with an easy-to-use portal, provide support at every stage of the application process. Built on a strong heritage of trust and lasting relationships, Foundation puts brokers and their clients at the heart of everything it does, making complex lending clearer and easier to navigate.
Foundation makes mortgages happen.
Residential
Buy to Let
Greenfield Bridging
Website
Greenfield Bridging has been lending since 2009 and has a wealth of experience in short-term bridging lending, bringing many years of successfully helping clients to achieve their goals.
Its reputation with its large panel of professional introducers has been built upon simple values like giving committed decisions and delivering on promises. People like Greenfield’s openness and honesty.
It operates throughout England and Wales, and lends against both residential and commercial properties. FCA regulated and unregulated loans are available.
Greenfield’s bridging lending was originally funded through its shareholders, but now comes from a combination of family office and institutional long-term, committed funds under management and its own balance sheet. This means introducers and borrowers can speak with genuine decision-makers and feel comfortable in their ability to deliver.
LendInvest
Website
LendInvest is one of the UK’s leading platforms for property finance.
It offers short-term, development, bridging and buy-to-let mortgages through intermediaries to landlords, developers and homeowners.
Its proprietary technology and user experience make it simpler for both borrowers and investors to access property finance.
LendInvest has lent over £7.5bn of short-term, development and buy-to-let mortgages.
Its funders and investors include global institutions such as JP Morgan, HSBC, Lloyds and BNP Paribas, and, in 2019, it was the first Fintech to securitise a portfolio of buy-to-let mortgages.
Nomo Bank
Website
Nomo Property Finance is a digital-first, Sharia-compliant finance product helping those who want to buy or refinance either residential or rental property in the UK.
The bank accepts applications from GCC (Gulf Corporation Council) country residents.
This includes the UAE, Kuwait, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia and Qatar.
Get in touch to find out more about how Nomo can help you unlock international demand.
Pepper Money
Website
Pepper Money is a broad specialist lender. It exists to help people succeed. Championing individuality and looking for opportunities to say yes, rather than reasons to say no.
It understands that brokers have a range of different needs, because their customers do, too. These clients may want to take the next step in their homeowning journey. Brokers want to help them, in the most efficient and profitable ways.
Pepper Money is here to help both parties fulfil their ambitions. By offering simple, inclusive products. By having a human approach to decision-making. By being easy to work with. And by providing specialist expertise that can be relied on. After all, when you keep an open mind and listen to people, everyone succeeds.
Precise
Website
Precise believes lending shouldn’t be complicated, so it cuts the faff and get straight to the point.
Whether it’s a residential or bridging finance, the lender helps people when they need it through its nationwide intermediary base.
Precise doesn’t think that underserved customers should be shunned by circumstance or complicated criteria. That’s why it has kept its process simple to give you a ‘yes’ or a ‘no’ quickly and with as little fuss as possible.
It’s why the lender has won so many awards recently, and it’s pretty proud of them.
So, what are you waiting for? Get in touch with Precise today.
Precise, along with Rely and InterBay, is a specialist lending brand of OSB GROUP PLC.
Quantum Mortgages
Website
The Quantum Mortgages team knows the specialist market better than most. Its senior leadership have spent their careers working hand-in-hand with intermediaries, giving the lender a deep understanding of what landlords and brokers truly need. That insight has shaped a proposition that stands apart in today’s market.
Quantum believes choice, flexibility, and common-sense lending matter most. That’s why it focuses on delivering a wide range of products, smarter criteria, and a commitment to listening to individual circumstances.
By blending cutting-edge technology with expert human underwriting, its unique model ensures a seamless, paperless, and hassle-free application process using tech to empower people, not replace them. The result? Common sense lending decisions that make sense for real-world scenarios.
In 2025, the lender expanded beyond buy-to-let with the launch of bridging finance, bringing speed and flexibility to property investors who need short-term solutions.
And in 2026, Quantum Mortgages will launch its residential proposition, designed to deliver the same tailored approach and specialist expertise to homeowners.[
Rely
Website
A buy to let lending powerhouse, Rely was born to fuel the success of property investors and their brokers through speed, clarity and insight.
Powered by an intuitive technology platform and a team of specialists dedicated to delivering solutions where others fail, its comprehensive offering redefines the lending experience.”
Alongside acclaimed specialist lending brands Precise and InterBay, it’s part of OSB GROUP PLC.
Rely on us to give you the winning edge.
Suffolk Building Society
Website
Suffolk has been writing mortgages since 1849, although its flexible approach and can-do attitude to lending mean it seems younger than 175.
It’s manual where it counts (underwriting), but it knows that time is money, so it is continually working on its intermediary journey.
Award-winning proposition:
The Brightstar Group
Website
The Brightstar Group comprises Brightstar Financial, Sirius Finance, Solstar Insurance, and The School Fees Company.
Brightstar Financial is the UK’s leading specialist lending distributor, helping brokers grow their businesses by providing the knowledge, expertise and resources needed to diversify into new lending areas. This includes specialist residential, complex buy-to-let, secured loans, commercial finance, and bridging and development finance.
Sirius Finance, launched in 2018, has grown rapidly to become one of the most recognised brands in the property finance sector, operating from its London offices. Sirius provides a client-facing specialist property debt advisory service across commercial, investment, development, and residential transactions.
Solstar Insurance recognises that every individual, family, and business has unique insurance and protection needs. It delivers personalised solutions that provide peace of mind and long-term financial security.
The School Fees Company supports parents in managing the rising cost of private education through practical and innovative financial solutions, from advance fee planning to unlocking property equity.
The Brightstar Group has won more than 145 national awards, including The Sunday Times Best Small Company to Work For in 2019 and 2020, and Investors in People Gold accreditation.
Jason Berry is one of the most recognised and respected figures in the UK mortgage industry, with more than 35 years of experience spanning advisory, specialist lending, insurance and distribution.
He is currently group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance, where he has played a pivotal role in the company’s award-winning growth and market leadership since joining in 2020.
Before Crystal, Jason held senior leadership positions at Platform Home Loans and Uinsure, building a reputation for driving commercial success, developing high-performing teams and creating strong industry partnerships.
Alongside his commercial career, Jason is co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC), a not-for-profit foundation dedicated to improving mental health and wellbeing across the mortgage sector. Since its launch, MIMHC has grown to more than 400 signatory firms, reaching over 30,000 industry professionals and raising in excess of £150,000 to support wellbeing initiatives.
In 2025, Jason was appointed to the board of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, further recognising his commitment to shaping a stronger, healthier and more sustainable future for the mortgage profession.
With over 20 years’ experience in financial services, predominantly in specialist lending, there’s not much Ryan hasn’t seen. Throughout his career, Ryan has been passionate about helping intermediaries find solutions for customers whose circumstances may be underserved by mainstream lenders.
In his role at Pepper Money as distribution director, Ryan leads the development and delivery of Pepper Money’s distribution partner strategy, working closely with mortgage clubs, networks and key distribution partners across the market. By building strong relationships and understanding the evolving needs of brokers and businesses, he helps shape Pepper’s proposition, service and support to ensure it remains relevant, accessible and inclusive.
His extensive market knowledge and commitment to understanding broker challenges help ensure Pepper continues to champion better outcomes for brokers and their customers.
His focus on collaboration, service excellence and continuous improvement has contributed to Pepper Money earning industry-wide recognition, including accolades such as Best Overall Lender at the Smart Money People Mortgage Awards.
Hiten has worked in property finance since 2008, building a strong reputation for insight, integrity and results. He leads both Mortimer Street Capital and its sister company, Visionary Finance – a well-regarded mortgage brokerage known for its reach across the UK and international markets. Together, the two firms serve a wide range of clients, from private individuals to large property companies and portfolio investors, across the full mortgage and real estate funding markets.
Hiten is a regular voice in industry media and was recently named a Change Maker at the British Mortgage Awards, recognised for his efforts in shaping a more inclusive and balanced sector.
With over 25 years’ experience in the financial services mortgage sector, Scott spent the majority of his career at Mortgage Talk heading up various divisions of the business.
He then joined Meridian Mortgages in January 2013, specialising in new build mortgages and working alongside some the UK’s biggest new homes developers.
He is now the Sales Director at Chartwell Mortage Services, where he has been since 2019.
Kunal’s passion for service and delivery stems from his previous career as a commercial airline pilot. With a strong personal interest in property investment and development, he founded SDKA in 2016 and the business has continued to grow under his leadership. He drives the team with a clear focus on supporting clients and enabling their business growth.
At SDKA, Kunal ensures that everyone is given a fair opportunity. When the team identifies genuine business acumen, they provide support regardless of experience, remaining open-minded and focused on potential rather than barriers.
Kunal finds it incredibly rewarding to see the value his team brings to clients – helping them expand their portfolios, strengthen their businesses and build long-term wealth.
Alison is passionate about developing strong client relationships while overseeing the servicing of loans. Working collaboratively with stakeholders and the wider SDKA team, she is responsible for effectively managing loan book redemptions.
With an extensive background in financial services – spanning roles from Bank Manager to Risk Manager and Commercial Relationship Manager, as well as experience in Portfolio Management – Alison brings the depth of expertise needed to manage a diversified portfolio for SDKA.
In her approach to portfolio management, Alison leverages her interpersonal skills alongside her problem-solving and planning abilities to build professional relationships. She thrives on working with clients to help turn their ambitions into reality and is genuinely passionate about nurturing the meaningful connections she forms with them.
Alex holds the position of Deputy Head of Underwriting and Head of AI, where he is responsible for structuring loans and guiding them through to completion. He provides support throughout the application process, ensuring all necessary documentation is in place. Having entered the specialist lending sector as a graduate, Alex has valued the opportunity to apply his logical mindset to decision-making across a wide range of deals.
In his work, Alex thrives on the analysis and practical reasoning that specialist lending demands. He appreciates moving beyond tick-box processes and instead applying clear, logical thought to each decision. Every application presents a unique combination of properties, borrowers, and circumstances – an aspect of the role that Alex particularly enjoys.
16th Feb 2027 – 24th Feb 2027
