A new initiative designed to encourage Armed Forces personnel into careers across the mortgage intermediary sector has reached a significant milestone as its first service leaver prepares to begin a placement.
Launched by Working in Mortgages and The Brightstar Group, the Mortgage Jobs for Heroes programme aims to attract service leavers and veterans into the UK mortgage industry by highlighting the transferable skills developed during military service and creating structured pathways into intermediary roles.
The update comes as the UK marks Armed Forces Day, with the initiative now moving from planning into implementation.
Earlier this year, representatives from The Brightstar Group and Working in Mortgages attended the National Transition Event at Silverstone, a careers and networking event for more than 1,000 service leavers, veterans and their families preparing for civilian employment.
Since then, the initiative has begun building a database of prospective candidates interested in careers within the mortgage sector.
The first participant, Zoe Catherall, who previously served in the Royal Air Force, is due to begin a placement with The Brightstar Group. She will work alongside Lee Payne, national account manager, who joined the business after serving as a regimental sergeant major in the Royal Engineers.
The organisers are now encouraging firms across the mortgage industry to become host organisations. Opportunities could include offering short-term work placements, guaranteed interviews for suitable vacancies, permanent employment opportunities, apprenticeships or support towards industry qualifications.
Clare Jupp, chief people officer at The Brightstar Group, said: “We have seen time and time again that talent does not always emerge through traditional recruitment channels. Therefore, the industry should continue to champion imaginative and unconventional routes into the mortgage sector.
“If we are serious about strengthening and diversifying our workforce for the future, we must be bold about where we look for talent.”
Stephanie Charman, chief executive of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, said: “Mortgage Jobs for Heroes is a fantastic initiative which seeks to broaden representation within the mortgage industry.
“This aligns perfectly with the stated objective of Working in Mortgages which is to make the mortgage industry a fairer and more accessible place to work and to do business with.
“The mortgage industry must continue to take a proactive approach to succession planning and workforce renewal and this new initiative will support that ambition. We encourage organisations to step forward and become part of this innovative project.”
Lee Payne (pictured), national account manager, added: “Mortgage Jobs for Heroes is not just about becoming a mortgage adviser or a business development manager — there are a wide range of roles within the industry that are well suited to service leavers.
“The sector offers opportunities across a variety of areas that align strongly with the skills developed in the forces, including Marketing, Sales, Health & Safety, Facilities Management, HR, and IT — highlighting that there is a place for a wide range of experiences and career ambitions.”
Organisations interested in becoming host employers and supporting the Mortgage Jobs for Heroes initiative are encouraged to contact Stephanie Charman at the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries.
