Rob Jupp, chief executive of Brightstar Group, closed the company’s Specialist Lending Expo today with an upbeat assessment of the mortgage industry’s future, urging delegates to “never stop learning, never stop asking questions, never stop being inquisitive.”
Reflecting on a day of panels and debate, Jupp said the industry remained well-positioned despite economic and regulatory pressures.
He highlighted early optimism from Darren Winder of Lazarus Economics, who forecast a sharp fall in inflation and scope for interest rate cuts to spur spending. “The advice is get spending,” Jupp summarised.
FISCAL REASSURANCE
The event also heard reassurance on fiscal policy, with industry commentators suggesting only two of nine potential measures under discussion were likely to feature in the autumn statement.
“That means it will all be OK,” Jupp told delegates, hinting that Labour insiders had not contradicted the view.
On housing legislation, he said discussion around the Renters’ Rights Bill had proved less alarming than expected.
“I was really positively bored by the comments – I thought it was going to be a lot bleaker,” he said, predicting that the legislation, expected to pass into law in the coming months, may not create the disruption some had feared.
Jupp praised speakers for their candour, including industry veteran David Whittaker, whose insights on leadership and resilience drew applause.
He also highlighted the sector’s need to promote itself better to new entrants, pointing to the rise of mortgage apprenticeships as an alternative to university.
“As long as you’ve got a heart, a pulse and a bit of vision, you can do really, really well in this industry.”
“There really aren’t barriers to entry,” he said. “As long as you’ve got a heart, a pulse and a bit of vision, you can do really, really well in this industry.”
Brightstar, founded 15 years ago, has seen the lending landscape shift markedly over that period.
“When we started, the easiest deal to get across the line was a bank as a tenant,” Jupp said. “Now, it’s the hardest.”
Closing the conference on a personal note, he thanked delegates for their support and urged the sector to remain bold.
“Maybe we’ve got to make a few more decisions and be prepared to get them wrong as much as we get them right,” he said.
“There’s one thing worse than making a bad decision – and that’s not making the decision at all.”
“I really hope you come away with something,” he added. “Never stop pushing boundaries.”
