The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter’s (MIMHC) third annual 144-mile Walk & Talk challenge finally came to an end on Friday last week as leaders Jason Berry and Charlie Morley crossed the finish line at HSBC’s Birmingham head office at 15:45.

Some 64 participants from across the mortgage sector, joining for different stages of the route, took part in the week long challenge that spanned the length of the Grand Union Canal.

The event was led by Jason Berry, group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance and co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, who completed the full route alongside Charlie Morley, director of mortgage distribution, operations and servicing at Metro Bank.

Between them they averaged almost 24 miles per day throughout the week, completing a total of 309,817 steps during the challenge.

Over the last four weeks Mortgage Soup has been firing the questions at both sponsors and those taking part.

Today, Georgina England (main picture, inset), business development manager at Family Building Society, is under the spotlight.

MS: What made you want to support and be part of the Walk and Talk initiative / event?

I wanted to be part of the Walk and Talk event because mental health is something that genuinely matters to me, both personally and professionally.

I’ve seen firsthand how powerful it can be when people feel able to talk openly and know they’re not alone.

Events like this create a safe, supportive space to have those conversations while also reminding us to slow down, connect, and look out for one another.

Being involved feels like a meaningful way to support positive change in our industry and to stand behind the values of the Mental Health Charter, not just in words but in actions.

MS: From your perspective, what are the biggest challenges brokers / clients are facing right now with their mental health and wellbeing?

I think one of the biggest challenges brokers face is the amount of pressure that comes with the role.

There’s always something demanding there attention; clients needing updates; deadlines to meet; changes in criteria and the uncertainty that comes with the market.

It can feel nonstop. A lot of brokers also work long hours and often on their own, which can be quite isolating.

When your employed or running your own business, it can be hard to switch off and there’s that feeling that you always need to be ‘on’.

On top of that, people don’t always feel comfortable talking about how they’re really doing.

There’s still a mindset in parts of the industry that struggling is a weakness, so people keep things to themselves.

Over time, that can really affect mental health and wellbeing, which is why creating spaces to talk openly, like this event, is so important.

MS: What is your organisation doing to better support staff and the wider market?

We do a lot internally to support our people. That includes regular wellbeing activities in head office, check‑ins, and creating space for open conversations so people feel comfortable speaking up if they’re struggling.

Alongside this, we support the wider market by getting involved in initiatives like the Mental Health Charter and events such as Walk and Talk.

For us, it’s about showing our commitment through supporting our own teams first and then helping drive more open, supportive conversations across the industry.

MS: Looking ahead, what trends or changes would you like to see in the next 12–24 months?

Looking ahead, I’d really like to see mental health and wellbeing become an ongoing conversation across the industry, rather than something that’s only talked about during awareness weeks or when there’s a crisis.

In the next 12–24 months, I’d hope to see more openness, less stigma and people feeling genuinely comfortable saying when they’re struggling.

I’d also like to see more practical support across the industry – things like flexible working, realistic expectations around workload, and managers being better equipped to spot the signs when someone isn’t okay.

Across the wider market, I think continued collaboration through initiatives like the Mental Health Charter is key.

If more organisations work together, share ideas, and lead by example, it can make a real difference and help create a healthier, more supportive industry for everyone.

MS: What does success from this initiative/event look like for you?

Success for me would be people leaving the event having had honest conversations, made meaningful connections, and feeling more comfortable talking about their mental health.

It’s also about leading by example as an industry, showing that wellbeing really matters, reducing stigma in a visible way and helping keep these conversations going long after the event itself.