The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) began its third annual 144-mile Walk & Talk challenge on Sunday and will finish on Friday this week. There are some 72 participants from across the mortgage sector taking part.
The six-day initiative follows the Grand Union Canal, with individuals joining for different stages of the route.
The event is led by Jason Berry, group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance and co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, who will complete the full route alongside Charlie Morley, director of mortgage distribution, operations and servicing at Metro Bank.
Today, Nicola Boardman (main picture, inset), head of origination at Pepper Money, is under the spotlight.
MS: What made you want to support and be part of the Walk and Talk initiative / event?
I’ve always loved being outdoors and walking is a great way to keep active – from my earliest school reports to the present day I’ve been known as a ‘talker’ so the combination of the two in support of the MIMHC really appealed and stood out as something I was keen to be involved in.
The Walk and Talk really aligns with what our Be More You initiative here at Pepper stands for, creating space for connection, movement and open conversation.
Walking side by side removes pressure, allows people to speak more freely, and reminds us that mental health support doesn’t always need to be formal or complicated.
As a proud signatory of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, it’s important for us to do more than just state our commitment, we want to show it through visible, practical action.
The Walk and Talk brings the industry together in a positive way, raising both funds and awareness, and helping normalise conversations around mental health. Being part of something supported by so many respected industry voices makes it even more meaningful.
MS: From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges brokers and clients are facing right now with their mental health and wellbeing?
The pace of change continues to be a major challenge. For brokers, long hours, constant market movement, late product withdrawals and the pressure of delivering for clients can quickly lead to fatigue and burnout.
There’s often little time built in to pause or reset. The same can be said for our teams internally who work tirelessly to support brokers throughout the application process.
For clients, uncertainty remains a huge factor, financial decisions are deeply personal and emotionally charged, and brokers often carry the emotional weight of those conversations too.
Over time, consistently putting others first can take a toll if people don’t feel supported themselves, so across the industry, whether you’re a lender, broker, client, but all need empathy and a listening ear when times get tough.
MS: What is your organisation doing to better support staff and the wider market?
Supporting wellbeing is a priority for us, not an add‑on. As part of our Be More You programme, we’re focused on supporting people as individuals as well as professionals.
Internally, this includes:
- Being a proud signatory of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter
- Mental Health First Aider training to support colleagues across the business
- Access to a comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
- Active wellbeing committees that help shape initiatives from the ground up
Externally, initiatives like the Retreat events, the Retreat Zone at industry expos, and supporting programmes such as Walk and Talk allow us to create space for brokers to pause, reset and feel supported in real time, not just talked at.
MS: Looking ahead, what trends or changes would you like to see in the next 12–24 months?
I’d love to see wellbeing continue to be embedded into how the industry operates, rather than treated as a reaction to crisis. That means more open conversations, less stigma, and leaders continuing to model healthy behaviours.
There’s also an opportunity to normalise simple, preventative practices, taking breaks, checking in with peers, and recognising early signs of stress, so support happens earlier, not only when someone is already struggling.
This is absolutely that something that the charter is driving, and I think greater awareness and comfort in having conversations about mental health will only continue to support the industry as a whole in the future.
MS: What does success from this initiative / event look like for you?
Success isn’t just about miles walked or funds raised, although both are important.
For me, success looks like conversations starting, connections being made, and people feeling a little less alone.
If this initiative encourages someone to check in with a colleague, take better care of themselves, or feel more confident asking for support, then that’s a real win.
Ultimately, it’s about helping people feel able to show up as themselves, healthier, more balanced, and more supported.
