This month, we are sitting down with Gavin Opperman (pictured), chief executive of Teachers Building Society.
How did you get into the mortgage industry?
I’ve always been very passionate about helping people achieve homeownership, and that was a key driver in picking a career in financial services. The opportunity to make a tangible difference in customers’ lives over something so important – having a home – really drew me in and continues to motivate me today.
Over time, I’ve developed a deep appreciation for the complexity and impact of mortgage lending, especially in supporting financial wellbeing and community growth. The industry continues to evolve, and I’m proud to be part of that journey – combining innovation, regulation, and customer focus to deliver meaningful outcomes.
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What has been your biggest learning over your career?
The biggest learning in my career has been the importance of adaptability and resilience. The mortgage industry is constantly evolving – shaped by regulation, technology, and customer expectations. Navigating change while staying focused on purpose has taught me to lead with clarity, listen actively, and embrace innovation.
I’ve learned that success isn’t just about strategy, but about people – building trust, empowering teams, and staying grounded in values. Challenges are inevitable, but they often bring the greatest growth. That perspective has helped me stay committed to making a meaningful impact, both for customers and the wider financial services community.
What are the biggest opportunities and challenges for the mortgage sector?
The mortgage sector faces exciting opportunities and complex challenges. Digitisation offers huge potential to streamline processes, improve customer experience, and enhance operational efficiency. There’s also growing demand for sustainable lending and inclusive financial solutions.
However, the sector must navigate economic uncertainty, regulatory pressures, and affordability concerns – especially for first-time buyers. Balancing innovation with compliance and customer trust is critical. The challenge lies in adapting legacy systems and mindsets while embracing new technologies and data-driven decision-making. Those who can evolve quickly, stay customer-focused, and collaborate across the value chain will be best positioned to lead the industry forward.
What are the strategic priorities for Teachers Building Society for the coming year?
Teachers Building Society’s strategic priorities for the coming year focus on strengthening our core purpose – helping teachers and education professionals onto the property ladder. We’re investing in digital transformation to improve customer experience and operational efficiency, while maintaining our personal, values-led approach.
Expanding our mortgage offering, enhancing broker relationships, and deepening member engagement are key goals. We’re also focused on sustainability, regulatory readiness, and building resilience in a challenging economic environment. Our strategy balances innovation with tradition, ensuring we remain agile, relevant, and trusted – delivering long-term value for our members and supporting the communities we serve.
Obviously, Teachers Building Society is aimed at supporting teachers onto the property ladder. Are you seeing more competition from lenders looking at the ‘professional’ mortgage market? Do you think the sector will get more competitive in the near term?
Yes, we’re seeing increased competition in the professional mortgage market, with more lenders recognising the stability and reliability of borrowers like teachers. While this brings challenges, it also validates the importance of our mission. We expect the sector to become more competitive in the near term, especially as digital capabilities expand and affordability pressures persist. Our focus remains on tailored solutions, deep sector knowledge, and maintaining strong relationships with educators and brokers.
What are the main challenges that borrowers coming to Teachers Building Society are facing, and how is the firm supporting them/setting itself apart from other lenders?
Borrowers coming to Teachers Building Society often face affordability challenges, especially first-time buyers navigating rising property prices and tighter lending criteria. We support them with tailored products, flexible underwriting, and a deep understanding of the education sector. What sets us apart is our personal approach – we take time to understand each borrower’s circumstances and offer solutions that reflect their needs. Our commitment to teachers remains at the heart of everything we do.
Teachers Building Society offers holiday let and buy-to-let (BTL) mortgages to non-teachers. Can you explain more about that and why it is an important part of your proposition?
Like all lenders, we have to balance the volume of low deposit mortgages we offer with some higher-deposit lending to meet lending rules. Offering holiday let, BTL and more complex mortgage options to non-teachers allows us to attract that higher-deposit mortgage business that enables us to keep doing what we do best: lending to teachers with smaller deposits. So, while teacher lending remains our strategic focus for the future, offering non-teacher mortgage options plays an important supporting role in maintaining a sustainable business.
Teachers Building Society also offers shared ownership deals. Has the uptake of that increased since Help to Buy closed and do you think there needs to be other government schemes/reform in this area?
We haven’t seen an uplift in shared ownership mortgage enquiries, but equally, we haven’t expressly sought activity in this space. Help to Buy offered the applicant full ownership and control, making the transaction simpler through the buying process, during ownership and then when looking to move on. With just the mortgage payment and no rent element, this also simplified the financial management of homeownership.
Reforms that included a return of something similar to Help to Buy, which we always saw strong demand for from our teacher audience, and that put the consumer at the forefront, would be welcomed.
What would you want brokers, or the mortgage industry more widely, to know about Teachers Building Society?
Teachers Building Society is a niche market player with a clear and purposeful mission: supporting teachers and education professionals onto the property ladder. In a sector that’s vital to society, our role cannot be underestimated. We offer tailored mortgage solutions, underpinned by deep sector knowledge and a personal approach that sets us apart. While competition in the professional mortgage space is growing, our commitment to teachers remains unwavering. We understand their unique needs and challenges, and we’re proud to serve this important community with products, service, and values that reflect their contribution to the future of education.
