Pepper Money to host third year of Retreat as part of “Be More You” initiative for advisers
Specialist lender Pepper Money is set to run its broker wellbeing retreat again in 2026, with two in-person events scheduled for April 21 in Manchester and June 3 in London.
The sessions form part of the lender’s “Be More You” wellness initiative, which is aimed at supporting the wellbeing of UK mortgage professionals and promoting more sustainable working patterns.
Now in its third year, the 2026 Retreat series has received formal recognition from the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC). Representatives from the Charter, including Eloise Hall of eSurv and Gemma Bennett of The Mortgage Mum, will take part in the programme, alongside Charter co-founder Jason Berry.
MIMHC’s backing marks a new phase in the development of the Retreat, positioning it as part of the sector’s broader wellbeing framework rather than a standalone series of events.
Results from the 2025 MIMHC Mental Health and Wellbeing Survey illustrate why broker wellbeing remains a concern. Almost 59% of respondents said they worked more than 45 hours a week, with more than one in 10 exceeding 60 hours. While this shows a modest improvement on the previous year, the data points to a persistent risk of burnout among advisers.
Sleep patterns also appear fragile. Only a minority of respondents reported achieving five or more nights of adequate sleep per week. At the same time, 43% named sufficient sleep and rest as one of the most important influences on their overall health and wellbeing.
The survey further shows that 21.9% of respondents rate their mental wellbeing as poor or concerning, broadly in line with the “one in five” level reported in 2024. Although 34.4% said their work-life balance had improved year on year, the economic backdrop remains the primary source of stress for many brokers, followed by client expectations.
With the next MIMHC survey due to be released shortly after the Retreat North event in April, Pepper Money’s programme is expected to provide a forum for reflecting on progress, identifying gaps in support and considering how firms and individuals can reduce future health risks.
Retreat 2026 will again concentrate on strategies that brokers can put into practice quickly. Planned content includes guided breathwork sessions led by breathwork coach Jessie Laute, techniques to improve sleep and resilience, and open discussions on workload, boundary setting and managing stress.
As engagement with wellbeing initiatives grows across the mortgage market, the Retreat series is intended to support earlier recognition of burnout indicators, promote preventative action and reinforce the idea that wellbeing is an integral part of long-term professional performance.
“Retreat has always been about turning our commitment to broker wellbeing into practical action,” said Paul Adams (pictured right), sales director at Pepper Money.
“The data from the 2025 MIMHC survey shows progress, but it also reminds us that long hours, inconsistent rest, and economic pressures remain a reality for many brokers. With 22% of brokers rating their mental wellbeing as poor or concerning, targeted and sustained support for the industry remains essential. We can’t afford to take our eye of the ball – continued focus, awareness and meaningful action around mental health remains critical.”
“We believe supporting brokers goes beyond products and service levels. It means recognising the human impact of operating in a fast-paced, highly regulated market. The Charter’s recognition of Retreat reflects how the initiative has evolved and matured. It is about creating the right environment for honest conversations and long-term change.”
For Jason Berry, co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, Pepper Money’s Retreat series “is a powerful example of what modern broker engagement should look like.”
“This isn’t just another industry event,” he said. “It’s a thoughtful investment in the wellbeing and performance of brokers. I’m incredibly proud to be strengthening our collaboration as we move into 2026 and to see Pepper Money continuing to lead the way with a human, progressive approach to supporting our sector.”
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