Hodge is to co-host the first live Power of 8 (PO8) event for 2022 with Accord Mortgages in Manchester on Wednesday 30 March, discussing how to tackle complex mortgage cases with confidence.

Power of 8 is a collaboration between seven specialist lenders and mutual building societies. Hodge, Accord Mortgages, Principality Building Society, Kensington Mortgages, Mansfield Building Society, Hinkley and Rugby Building Society and Pure Retirement will come together to discuss industry topics and share expertise and knowledge with mortgage brokers.

Named Power of 8 because each event includes a guest speaker, who is an expert in their field, together they will deliver industry insight and business development strategies to educate and build on knowledge.

Established at the end of 2019, it was borne out of the “morning with the mutuals” concept – which brought together a small group of BDMs to present their propositions at round table events. The providers said that the sessions were well received, and a core group of founder members soon realised they could further develop the concept to include specialist providers adding greater value for the audience. And so, Power of 8 was created.

This first event for 2022 will give mortgage brokers the opportunity to learn how lenders use their lending criteria expertise and knowledge to provide brokers with possible solutions to their complex cases, encouraging them to think outside of the box.

One of the founding members of Power of 8 is Hodge’s national account manager for the North, Andrea Roberts; she said: “It’s great to be back out on the road again with industry colleagues. We are all part of a big ‘lender community’, and often share broker enquiries with each other to find a solution for their complex cases.

“It’s often said by brokers that the best BDMs are those who will point them in the right direction when they can’t help – and that’s exactly what we aim to do with Power of 8. Together we are stronger, this is why the PO8 is such a great initiative.”

Andy Millard, co-host from Accord Mortgages, added: “It’s great to be able to come together with similar minded lenders and industry colleagues for the first session of the PO8 for 2022.

“We’ve created an event with a focused theme around complex cases and common-sense lending, as applicant’s circumstances increasingly require this approach. The event gives brokers an opportunity to hear from all the providers present and our guests, to showcase what we can do in this space. We hope this PO8 event will support brokers who have complex cases on their desk and make them that bit easier to find a home for.”

Guest speakers for the Manchester event are Nicola Firth, CEO of Knowledge Bank, Simon Lovell, field compliance manager of TMA Club and Vicki Brady, customer account manager at PRIMIS Mortgage Network.