The Black Mortgage Professionals and Allies Network (BMPAN) has launched a new framework aimed at improving racial equity and career opportunities across the mortgage industry.
The BMPAN Standard sets out practical measures that organisations and individuals can adopt to address barriers faced by Black professionals and people from minoritised backgrounds.
It was unveiled on 7 October at the network’s second anniversary event, held at Lloyds Banking Group in London as part of Black History Month.
Founded by Atlyn Forde, Aleka Gutzmore and Jeffrey Krampah-Williams, BMPAN has established a community of more than 500 mortgage professionals and allies since its launch.
FOUR PRINCIPLES FOR INDUSTRY CHANGE
The new Standard is built around four principles, collectively known as COIL: Collaboration, Opportunity, Inclusion and Leadership.
Collaboration focuses on encouraging organisations and professional networks to share knowledge and work together, while Opportunity seeks to improve access to career development, sponsorship and progression.
Inclusion addresses the need for workplaces where individuals feel respected and able to contribute, while Leadership encourages those in positions of influence to challenge barriers and promote racial equity.
Organisations and individuals can sign up as supporters of the Standard, with additional opportunities to participate as partners or sponsors of BMPAN’s activities and events.
The initiative forms part of the network’s wider efforts to move beyond discussions about diversity and establish practical commitments that can be adopted across the mortgage sector.
INDUSTRY CONTRIBUTIONS RECOGNISED
The anniversary event, held under the theme “Raising the Standard: Leadership, Excellence, Community”, also recognised mortgage professionals who have contributed to improving opportunities and supporting others in the industry.
Forde was joined by John Winter, vice chair, corporate and institutional banking at Lloyds Banking Group, to present the awards.
Rebecca Wilkins of Cutting Edge Mortgages and Richard Goppy of PMS Mortgage Club both received Door Opener Awards.
Shane Chawatama of Knowledge Bank received the Collaboration Award, with Dom Scott of Lifetime Connect highly commended in the same category.
Other recipients included Hazvi Chimbetete of John Charcol, who received the Community Impact Award, Oli O’Donoghue of HSBC UK, who received the Trailblazer Award, and Damian Thompson of Nationwide, who received the Leadership Award.
The event also featured contributions from Faith Chindanya, Edwin Elder, Wilkins, Siobhan Barrett, Samantha Owo, Winter and Chawatama, covering leadership, inclusion and professional development.
BMPAN’s three co-founders say: “Recognition matters because so much of the work that changes someone’s career happens quietly. It is the introduction that opens a door, the encouragement that builds confidence, or the person who champions your potential.
“Those contributions deserve to be seen and celebrated.
“Being in that room and seeing the connections happening reminded us why we started BMPAN. We are building a community that supports people and creates opportunities.
“Through the BMPAN Standard and our COIL framework, we want to help more organisations turn their commitment to racial equity into practical action.”
AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME LAUNCHED
Alongside the Standard, BMPAN has introduced an Ambassador programme to encourage individuals to promote the network, connect professionals and raise the profile of talent across the industry.
Those joining the programme can register through BMPAN’s website and receive a pin identifying their support for the organisation.
The network has also established an advisory panel and a marketing and communications working group, with volunteers helping to develop its activities and increase participation.
BMPAN acknowledged the support of Nationwide, HSBC, Barclays, Aviva and Lloyds Banking Group, which have hosted its events, alongside its sponsors, partners and volunteers.
Its forthcoming programme includes a Mental Health Roundtable on 30 October 2026, organised with the Mental Health in Mortgages Charter and Jason Berry.
A networking mixer is planned for late January, followed by a larger event hosted by NatWest on 17 February 2027.
Pictured (L-R): Aleka Gutzmore, Jeffrey Krampah-Williams and Atlyn Forde
