More than 300 members of the mortgage industry are expected to gather this autumn for the first Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC) Charity Ball, a new event launched to coincide with World Mental Health Day.
The alcohol-free black-tie event will take place on 10 October 2025 at London’s Grand Connaught Rooms. It is being led by William Lloyd-Hayward, group chief operating officer at The Brightstar Group, and Jason Berry, group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance. Headline sponsorship has been provided by Market Financial Solutions.
With over 120 tickets already sold and a growing list of industry sponsors, the MIMHC Charity Ball has been designed as an inclusive alternative to traditional networking events, underlining the Charter’s focus on wellbeing.
“We believe that there should be a range of events within our industry and this unique ball adds to that mix,” said the organisers. “There is clear evidence that alcohol can negatively impact mental health by affecting brain chemistry.”
STRONG APPETITE
Lloyd-Hayward (pictured) said the event draws inspiration from a previous Alzheimer’s charity ball held in 2022, which proved that the mortgage industry has a strong appetite for supporting charitable causes in a positive and celebratory setting.
“The success of the Alzheimer’s charity ball in 2022 helped to show there was space in our industry for a night where we can all come together to support good causes, raise vital funds and have a good time in the process,” he said.
“Working alongside Jason, we are delighted to bring this event to fruition and have been overwhelmed with the support we have already received. A huge thank you goes to Market Financial Solutions for their generous support as our headline sponsor.”
Paresh Raja, chief executive of Market Financial Solutions, added: “We are delighted to support the first MIMHC Ball as headline sponsor. The work MIMHC does to promote good mental health across our industry is second to none.
“This event promises an excellent evening of fun and fundraising for an incredible charity, the Niall Stringer Foundation, which many of us are aware of. We look forward to seeing many peers and friends at this event in October.”
All funds raised on the night will go to the Niall Stringer Foundation, an Essex-based charity which supports young people by providing access to mental health services and sports clubs across the UK through Mental Health First Aid. The Foundation was launched in 2022 in memory of Niall Stringer, who tragically took his own life just before his 18th birthday.
Guests on the night will enjoy a drinks reception, three-course dinner, a celebrity guest speaker, auction, DJ and dancing. In addition to Market Financial Solutions, a number of other sponsors have already confirmed their support. Pepper Money will act as Platinum Sponsor, with Barclays and Mortgage Brain on board as Event Sponsors. Table sponsors include Coreco, Brightstar, Virgin Money, Crystal SF, HSBC and Landbay.
The MIMHC was established in 2021 to drive positive change around mental health across the mortgage sector. It now has nearly 250 signatory firms representing more than 20,000 individuals, and continues to promote awareness, best practice and a culture of support throughout the industry.
