The Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) has expressed confidence in the resilience of the UK mortgage market, as its new chair Jonathan Stinton used his first keynote speech to call for greater collaboration across the sector.

Speaking at the trade body’s annual lunch in London, Stinton acknowledged that recent global events, including conflict in the Middle East, have introduced fresh uncertainty around the outlook for interest rates.

However, he pointed to a strong recovery in lending activity since the disruption following the September 2022 mini-budget, highlighting the market’s ability to adapt.

In 2025, gross mortgage lending increased by 19% year-on-year to £288 billion. House purchase lending rose 18%, while remortgaging activity was up 20%. Buy-to-let lending remained broadly stable despite continued pressure from taxation changes, additional Stamp Duty and the forthcoming Renters’ Rights Act.

Stinton said: “These are not just figures, they represent families moving, landlords adjusting, buyers returning with confidence and advisers supporting them through uncertainty,”

He added that underlying market conditions remain supportive.

Stinton said: “We have seen demand rebalance, credit quality remains resilient and, critically, the fundamentals of homeownership in the UK remain as strong as ever.”

Looking ahead, he described the sector as being at a turning point, shaped by technological advancement and regulatory change.

Stinton said: “Busy times, and I believe we now stand at a fascinating crossroads,”

He highlighted the growing influence of data, automation and digital integration in improving customer outcomes, while cautioning that innovation must be accompanied by robust governance, particularly around cybersecurity and the use of artificial intelligence.

On regulation, Stinton stressed the need to balance consumer protection with market competitiveness.

Stinton said: “We must work together to ensure regulation supports competitiveness, not conformity,”

He also emphasised the importance of collaboration between lenders and intermediaries, positioning IMLA as a key voice in representing the sector’s interests.

Stinton said: “As we look to the rest of 2026 and beyond, I genuinely believe this is a moment of opportunity,”

He concluded with a call for the industry to take a proactive approach to change.

Stinton said: “Let’s embrace technology with urgency and rigour, not fear. Let’s invest not only in innovation but in the security and ethics that underpin it. Let’s strengthen and galvanise our relationships with regulators. And let’s lead, not follow, in shaping how homeownership is financed in the UK.”