Advisers can seek help in an increasingly isolated industry
In the modern world of mortgages, where many brokers work remotely and can feel increasingly isolated, being able to seek support in the industry is as important as it’s ever been, potentially more so.
Professionals in the sector can source various support though, including through a new online platform, Mortgage Chat , that’s been established by Marianne Lombardi (pictured left), who’s been in the profession for 17 years and self-employed for just over five, with her brokerage Agree Mortgages. She set up the community in response to her own need to reach out to other brokers for help with industry questions as they arise.
“What I have felt for a long time since going self-employed is that it's quite a lonely place,” Lombardi told Mortgage Introducer. “I felt really isolated. We've got more choice than we've ever had before, but people are making less connections than they've ever made. So, to have that connection, and that trust is really important. Sometimes a case can just go round and round in your head and you just need to talk to somebody about it. My father-in-law is a mortgage broker too and I said to him one day about a problem I had, ‘What do you think about this?’ and he said, ‘Well, why don't you do it like that?’, and I had been thinking about it for 48 hours!”
She continued: “Who do brokers go to for advice on different things, such as their career and which network to join? How do they know what to pay estate agents for a referral, and who to talk to about criteria? It was bothering me that there's so many day-to-day things which happen with the job where it would be helpful if there was a community to ask. I've been doing this for almost 20 years, and I don't know everything, I'm always learning.”
Around 140 brokers from across the UK have signed up to the free-to-join initiative. “People ask questions, and tell you a little about themselves as members, and then once or twice a week we do something like a virtual coffee morning, just so people can get to know each other,” Lombardi said. “We have lots of different guests doing talks. Lenders might come on or an accountant talking about reading limited company accounts. I know there are some brokers out there who will say, ‘You should already know that,’ but some people are new to the industry, some people need a refresher. It's a safe space and it’s educated me more in the last six months than probably any other period of time during my career. It’s about shared knowledge, that shared experience, and collaboration.”
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Supporting advisers who are kept awake at night
As the recently appointed chief executive of The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI), Stephanie Charman (pictured centre) is keen to hear the concerns of advisers. “It’s about what keeps them awake at night, what do they need to help grow their businesses, what stops them growing their businesses, how do we help, how do we support that?” she said.
Charman urges intermediaries to get involved in AMI’s groups such as Working In Mortgages. “There’s a whole host of things that go on and you have that opportunity to volunteer and if people aren’t part of those initiatives and wish to be part of those initiatives, please put yourself forward,” she commented. “I didn’t realise all the other fantastic work that AMI does behind the scenes. I am very much an open door. Please reach out, we very much want to hear your feedback. I am trying to get out there. I have been out already, to a couple of events we have run from a working group perspective, talking to advisers.”
Charman added: “I will look to utilise all opportunities to speak to firms. I really am open to hearing what our members want, what are they looking for, what feedback can they give us to help us shape that future direction, as we move forward.”
A more specific source of support for mortgage advisers is the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, co-founded by Jason Berry (pictured right). He believes the greater emphasis on mental health in the industry is a game-changer. “It has encouraged conversations that were once taboo, reduced stigma, and made it easier for employees to seek help,” Berry said. “While progress has been made in raising awareness about mental health, the mortgage industry often falls short in providing adequate time and space for employees to focus and resolve personal issues. Long hours, large workloads, and performance pressures leave little room for personal challenges. More must be done to embed structured support systems, including mental health policies, flexible working arrangements, and proactive leadership training to create a culture that acknowledges and accommodates employees’ personal needs.”
Berry encourages individuals working in the mortgage profession to communicate openly with their employer or a trusted colleague about their situation. “Prioritise self-care by setting boundaries, delegating tasks where possible, and seeking professional support through employee assistance programmes or external counselling,” he said. “Employers - recognise the human element behind the work. Offer flexibility, maintain regular check-ins, and create an environment where employees feel safe sharing concerns. Equipping managers with training to spot early signs of distress and offering access to mental health resources can help foster trust and resilience. The loyalty gained from supporting a staff member who has suffered from mental health challenges will be huge.”
