The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) is hosting its third annual 144-mile Walk & Talk challenge from 10-15 May. And as we reveal today there are now 72 participants from across the mortgage sector taking part.

The six-day initiative will follow the Grand Union Canal, with individuals joining for different stages of the route. Participants, referred to as “Leggers”, will walk together while engaging in open discussions around mental health and wellbeing.

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.

Over the next fortnight Mortgage Soup will be firing the questions at both sponsors and those taking part.

Today, Alan Davison (main picture, inset), chief commercial officer, Foundation, is in the spotlight.

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

The mortgage industry relies on resilience and strong relationships, yet it operates under constant pressure. In recent years, that strain has intensified, making mental wellbeing a real challenge across the market.

Walk and Talk stood out because it creates space for honest conversations and connection away from the day‑to‑day pressures of making mortgages happen.

Supporting this initiative recognises that mental health is as important as performance, and that meaningful progress starts with open dialogue.

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

Brokers are carrying a sustained emotional load, supporting clients through stressful life events while managing commercial and regulatory pressures.

Many have moved from one intense period to another with little recovery time. Isolation remains an issue, especially for self‑employed brokers and smaller firms, while regulatory complexity increases anxiety and decision fatigue.

For clients, financial uncertainty and long timelines heighten stress, which inevitably feeds back into the professionals supporting them.

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

We’re focused on treating wellbeing as essential to sustainable performance.

That includes encouraging open conversations about mental health, supporting flexible working, improving access to wellbeing resources, and being realistic about workload and capacity.

We also work closely with brokers and partners to reduce unnecessary friction and complexity in making mortgages happen.

MS: How will activities like this help the industry move forward?

Initiatives like Walk and Talk help reduce stigma and remind people they’re not alone. They build connections across firms and roles, strengthening the industry as a whole. Crucially, they reinforce that mental health is a collective responsibility, not an individual weakness.

MS: What’s one practical insight or piece of advice you would offer brokers or people working on the mortgage sector right now?

Be intentional about boundaries and recovery time, even in small ways. Simple actions – such as switching off notifications, taking proper breaks, or talking openly with peers – can significantly improve resilience. If things start to feel heavy, talk to someone early; silence almost always makes it harder.

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

I’d like to see mental health become a routine agenda item, greater collaboration across the industry to simplify processes, and leadership that models balance as well as output.

Continued professional support for brokers, particularly those working independently, will also be critical. A healthier industry will naturally be a more trustworthy, effective, and sustainable one.

MS: Finally, what does success from this initiative/event look like for you?

Success looks like people leaving feeling heard, connected, and slightly more energised. If this initiative helps normalise conversations around mental health or encourages even one person to seek support earlier, it will have made a meaningful difference.