National brokerage Just Mortgages is to welcome its biggest ever academy intake in November, with 23 applicants starting their journey to become fully qualified brokers.

Usually, Just Mortgage’s national academy programme features a class of 16, whittled down from over 1,000 applicants. However, the firm made the call to increase this month’s intake, citing the “high-quality of applicants and the fierce competition for places”.

John Phillips (pictured), national operations director at Just Mortgages, said: “At a time when the mortgage market is in such a state of flux and where sound financial advice has never been so in-demand, it’s fantastic to be able to provide this valuable platform to help our biggest ever academy group take their first steps into the industry.

“With the reputation of our academy and the hard work of our head of training Rodney Sloan, it’s always over-subscribed with a thousand talented individuals applying for just a handful of places. Reviewing applications for this upcoming intake and seeing the high quality of applicants with degrees and higher-education qualifications, as well as experience in banks and established financial institutions, it was clear we needed to increase numbers.

“It’s also great to see many applicants already with their CeMap1 qualification, who maybe just didn’t get an opportunity to take that next step. We’re thrilled to be able to provide that opportunity to the best and brightest candidates, creating a healthy pipeline of talent to safeguard the future of our industry.”