National brokerage Just Mortgages has revealed that there were more female than male applicants for its converted broker academy places for the first time ever.

60% of applicants for the latest broker academy were women and 40% men.

Each academy is oversubscribed with often over one thousand applicants for the 20 available places and, the overwhelming majority of applicants have typically been male.

However, a new recruitment strategy targeting those outside of the industry by utilising social media and images that promote an inclusive working environment has attracted women looking to start a new career in financial services. The number of successful female candidates increased by 180% in 2021 and is on course to more than double again by the end of 2022.

Linsey Davies (pictured), head of talent acquisition and business support at Just Mortgages, said: “We work hard to create an environment within Just Mortgages where anyone can thrive and success is defined by the quality of the person and nothing else.

“For some time now the percentage of women applying for academy places has been increasing but this is the first time but we have had more female than male applicants and it is a significant 60-40 split. Looking back at previous years, just three out of 10 applicants would be women which is why this is such a significant change. We are thrilled so many women now see financial services as a great career path and an environment where their potential can be realised.”

Eight of the top performing brokers in the Just Mortgages employed division are women and this is increasing every year.

John Philips, national operations director at Just Mortgages, added: “We are so proud that we have a proposition and culture where women feel they can fulfil their potential based on their skill and are judged and rewarded only based on the outstanding job they do.

“Linsey and her team have done a wonderful job in communicating the benefits of a career as a mortgage adviser to women outside of the industry and long may it continue. Five years ago, men made up 60% of our brokers but that is now closer to 50-50 which is terrific for the company and the whole financial services sector.”