We spoke to some of our first winners to reflect on their career, achievements and industry changes since then.
Here, we speak to Andrea Rozario, chief corporate officer at Bower Home Finance and recipient of the Equity Release Award.
What do you remember about the 2006 British Mortgage Awards? What stands out most when you think back to that night?
It was a monumental win for me. Knowing I was up against some of the biggest names in the industry, I genuinely didn’t think I stood a chance – which made the victory all the more meaningful. I was captivated by the venue, the scale of the evening, and the sheer number of people in attendance. It remains one of the highlights of my career, and the recognition meant the world to me.
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What did it mean to win at the inaugural British Mortgage Awards?
The industry was, and in many ways still is, dominated by the major players, and I was under no illusion about how steep the competition was. Yet that didn’t deter me. I was beginning to establish my name, both within the industry and in the wider press, largely driven by my passion for equity release and my conviction that the sector was being treated unfairly, despite the meaningful steps that had been taken to protect consumers.
Looking back, what was the intermediary mortgage market like in 2006 compared to today?
Equity release was and remains a relatively small corner of the mortgage market. It was dominated by one major player, while smaller firms and individuals struggled to gain a foothold. The sector was beset by reputational damage and legacy issues, limited product choice, and relentless negative press coverage. Those reputational challenges have been substantially addressed, even if traces linger. The market has matured considerably: safeguards have been strengthened, products have become far more flexible, and regulation, along with SHIP (Safe Home Income Plans) – now known as the Equity Release Council – has done much to protect customers and rehabilitate the industry’s image.
In your view, what has been the single biggest change in the mortgage industry over the past 20 years?
I may be biased, having been appointed the first director general of what was then known as SHIP, but I believe the transformation of that trade body has been the most significant development, at least within equity release. Laurie Edmans, the then chairperson of SHIP, and I were determined to reform the organisation from the ground up, broadening its membership to encompass all industry participants and fostering a genuinely collaborative approach for the benefit of customers, providers, solicitors, and advisers alike. It required considerable determination and no small amount of pushing against entrenched norms, but the Equity Release Council that exists today is built on those foundations and on the pioneering work of the founder members before us. That transformation reflects an industry that has grown more cohesive, more sophisticated, and more purposeful.
How has the role of the mortgage adviser evolved since 2006?
Equity release advisers have always had to strike a careful balance: ensuring the product is genuinely the right solution for the client, while also considering state benefits, alternative options, and the dynamics of family involvement. Compliance has always been rigorous – rightly so – and understanding client vulnerability has always been central to good advice. As products have become more sophisticated and flexible, the knowledge required has grown correspondingly deeper. This is not a simple industry. It demands patience, sustained investment in learning, and finely tuned interpersonal skills, all of which may ultimately lead an adviser to tell a client that equity release isn’t the right path for them. Those fundamentals haven’t changed, but they are now accompanied by ever-increasing layers of compliance requirements, product complexity, and competitive pressure.
What impact, if any, did winning a British Mortgage Award have on your career or business?
In many ways, it marked the beginning of a new chapter. My career was gaining real momentum, and I was starting to attract the attention of the national press. I was invited onto the Trevor McDonald show to discuss equity release at a time when interest in the products was genuinely building. Around the same time, SHIP was looking to formalise and strengthen its position, and it was shortly after that that I was appointed its first director general.
Why do you think the British Mortgage Awards have remained relevant and respected over the past 20 years?
As one of the longest-standing awards in the sector, they command a consistent and well-earned respect. Being nominated is widely regarded as a mark of distinction in itself, and knowing that recognition comes from your peers makes it all the more meaningful. For many professionals, winning represents the pinnacle of their career and the sense of achievement that comes with it is profound.
How important is it for the industry to continue recognising excellence and innovation?
It is absolutely essential. In what can be a demanding and often thankless environment, having your hard work acknowledged by a respected institution is enormously motivating. Many things drive innovation and excellence, but recognition is the affirmation that makes the effort worthwhile – the finishing touch on everything you’ve worked to achieve.
What are you most proud of professionally when you look back over the past two decades?
Having worked at the coalface of equity release and feeling so deeply convinced of the positive impact these products can have on people’s quality of life, I’ve been privileged to take that experience and use it to educate journalists, MPs, and peers in Parliament. Watching someone’s perception shift as you explain what the industry has done to improve safeguards and why these products matter has been enormously satisfying, even when the process has, at times, been frustrating. That, above all, is what I’m most proud of.
What advice would you give to someone entering the intermediary mortgage market today?
In equity release, the most important thing is to manage your expectations and commit fully to the breadth of learning required. This isn’t just about product knowledge – it’s about understanding the full spectrum of challenges people face in later life: the potential need for care, issues of vulnerability, family dynamics, and all the alternatives available to a client. It takes time, empathy, and genuine dedication.
What excites you most about the future of the mortgage industry?
A growing elderly population will only increase demand for equity release, and the more innovative the products become, the greater the choice available to clients. We must continue championing a more positive narrative in the press, deepening public understanding of what these products can genuinely offer, and attracting high-calibre advisers into the industry. Challenges will always exist, but with the more collaborative spirit the Equity Release Council has helped to cultivate, we are better placed than ever to deliver consistently positive outcomes for customers.
