The events were designed to recognise and celebrate similarities and differences of people working at Pepper Money.
These included a panel discussion including Martin Reynolds, chief executive at SimplyBiz Mortgages, on banter and stereotyping, an event on demystifying neurodiversity, a workshop on inclusive leadership and unconscious bias for managers and a session on being an ally in the workplace.
There was also a menopause ‘ask the expert’ session and a fireside discussion on religion and beliefs.
Pepper Money offers a full range of specialist residential and buy-to-let first and second charge mortgage products to customers whose requirements may be underserved by traditional high street banks and building societies.
The lender said it uses financial inclusion as its guiding principle, providing affordable home loans to a wide group of customers, including those who have experienced credit problems, are self-employed, work as contractors, earn variable income or simply because their circumstances require a more considered approach.
Atlyn Forde, chair of Pepper’s diversity and inclusion committee and senior manager data insights, said: “We’re incredibly proud of all our people. And we want to keep doing everything we can to make Pepper a place to belong, and an even better workplace. Over the last four weeks, we have shared and celebrated our many similarities – through a series of face-to-face and virtual workshops and discussions. These have helped people to increase awareness of their colleagues’ lived experiences, share views on thought-provoking topics and take time to reflect on their role in creating an inclusive work environment, where everyone feels a sense of belonging.”
Paul Adams, sales director at Pepper Money, said: “I took part in the ask the expert session about the menopause and found it to be incredibly powerful and enlightening. I am certain that the more time we can spend learning about issues that may impact our friends and colleagues, the more successful we can be in our business and lives.”
Martin Reynolds, chief executive at SimplyBiz Mortgages, said: “Every office needs a sense of camaraderie, but while a comment here or a cutting quip there may seem harmless, they can potentially be quite damaging. Brokers enjoy speaking with lenders and vice versa on a day-to-day basis, especially those that work alone, but we all need to understand cues and where to draw the line.
“We all need to be mindful that what we say might be taken the wrong way – especially to someone with different life experiences. That’s why it is so vital to talk about what’s acceptable and what isn’t, where the line is and why that line’s important.”
