The British Mortgage Awards took place yesterday at London's Park Plaza, presenting awards to brokers, lenders and business leaders.
Congratulations to all the winners in the Broker, Lender and Business Leader categories of the 2024 UK Mortgage Awards.
Broker: Administrator supported by Pepper Money
Bobby Carter, L&C Mortgage
Winner's comment: A clear problem solver, she delivers great results in every aspect of her day to day work, but also works hard to ensure the entire team delivers great customer outcomes.
Business Leader: Brokers supported by Accord Mortgages (<10 advisors)
Sharon Duckworth, Key Mortgage Advice
Winner's comment: A pioneer and inspiring leader who has achieved great things and is helping to increase the number of women who are successful in the industry.
Broker: Rising Star – Distributor supported by Coventry for Intermediaries
Holly Stinson, Alexander Hall Associates
Winner's comment: “She has a deep awareness and understanding of consumer obligations, vulnerable customers and achieving the best outcomes for her clients. She has competently demonstrated her achievements and shown great passion for the industry.”
Lender: Rising Star – Product provider supported by L&C Mortgages
Tina Cooper, Lloyds Banking Group
Winner's comment: This was a very close category and the judges deliberated for a long time to choose the overall winner. Tina has been on a mission to bring about change in the UK housing market from her own experience. Her passion and sincerity really came through in the interview.
Business Leader: Real Estate Conveyors Supported by Coadjute
Doug Crawford, Simply Conveyancing
What the winner said: This winner was extremely impressive and there was a clear sense of scale to what he was offering. One judge said he had “the ability to execute” and was delivering benefits to the whole industry.
Broker: Retirement loans supported by Family Building Society
Darren Johncock, LDN Finance
Winner's comment: His passion for education is exemplary in the industry. He has such genuine concern for his clients that the judges would love to present him in front of their families.
Business Leaders: NatWest supported brokers (11-50 advisors)
Andrew Montlake, Coleco
What the winner said: The judges felt this winner is a future champion. He is so open about his passion that they wondered how he finds the time to do it all. His commitment to his industry is second to none and he embodies the company's culture and values.
Brokers: Bank of Ireland's hybrid credit support for intermediaries
Ceri Evans, LeMo Mortgages
Winner's comment: The winner demonstrated extensive knowledge gained from a broad lender base. He has a clear understanding of how to manage customer expectations, particularly those showing signs of vulnerability, ensuring customers are well informed and understand all the options available to them.
Business Leader: Surveyors supported by Nottingham Building Society
Matthew Comber, Countrywide Surveying Services
Winner's comment: The judges noted that this nominee demonstrated a strong passion for leading the business and genuinely strives to make a difference to customers.
Lender: Telephony Relationship Manager supported by Just Mortgages
Megan Davis, HSBC UK
Winner's comments: This was a very close category and it was clear that all the nominees take great pride in their work, but it was clear that Megan has an unbridled passion for her role and has built first class relationships with brokers.
Business Leader: Specialty Distribution Supported by OSB Group
Craig Hall, LSL Financial Services
Winner's comment: A leader with a strong customer focus and a clear vision to work with and influence the wider market to promote and develop the new build sector for the benefit of all.
Broker: General insurance supported by Uinsure
Sarah Jane Ashdown, Just Mortgages
What the winner said: An impressive winner who has produced great numbers and is clearly passionate about getting the right outcomes for his clients.
Business Leaders: AMI-supported protection or property insurance providers
Louise Corry, Zurich
Winner's comment: A highly energetic leader who shows incredible determination to drive change within his company and the market at large. A true force of nature.
Broker: Protection backed by HSBC Life
Sam Salim, Alexander Hall Associates
Winner's comment: The judges described Sam as “passionate, articulate and professional” – someone who clearly understands his field and is committed to providing the best protection solutions for his clients.
Lender: Sales Manager or National Account Representative supported by PRIMIS Mortgage Network
Amanda Bryden, Halifax Intermediaries
Winner's comment: A great individual with the tenacity to make changes to strengthen the lender-advisor relationship. Her leadership enables the team to constantly add value and create better client outcomes.
Lender: Business Development assisted by Alexander Hall Associates
Liz Yangou, Barclays
Winner's comments: This winner gave the judges goosebumps. She clearly always wants the best for her brokers and others. She has a desire to influence and inspire other women in the industry. Her passion is second to none and her focus on D&L and spreading awareness was key.
Broker: First time buyers supported by Skipton Building Society brokers
Sonia Masaru, Mortgage Mama
What the winner said: The winner's dedication to the sector is summed up in these words: “First time home buyers are at the start of their life cycle. They are often misunderstood so it's vital we provide them with a safe place where they can get advice and reassurance to help them take that first step in purchasing property.”
Business Leaders: Development and Innovation Champions Supported by Mortgage Brain
Claire Cherrington, Lloyds Banking Group
Winner's comment: A leader with a clear vision and sense of purpose about how her success can positively impact the wider market. She is a strong leader who nurtures and drives growth in her teams.
Broker: New Build Properties Backed by Barclays
Scott Litchford, Mortgage Advice Bureau
Winner's comment: Very customer focused. In-depth knowledge of all schemes available and a keen understanding of changes that can improve the new build market.
Business Leader: HSBC UK supported brokers (51+ advisors)
Peter Brodnicki, Mortgage Advice Bureau
Winner's comment: The judges commented that this winner doesn't wait for things to come to him, he takes them for himself. He doesn't get attached to an evolutionary plan and is always looking ahead. His impact on the market outside his company is clear and his knowledge is second to none.
Lender: Phoebus supported operations/credit risk
Derek Burt, Lloyds Banking Group
What the winner said: Our winner made it clear that he does not “rest” in his role. He is extremely knowledgeable and his passion is contagious. It was clear that he is focused on supporting both brokers and clients.
Business Leaders: Stonebridge supported intermediary lenders (total annual lending volume < £5bn)
Charles Morley, Metro Bank
Winners comment: Charles has led the business through some incredibly challenging times, with genuine empathy, enthusiasm, passion and always with a smile on his face.
Business Leaders: Mortgage Club Supported by BM Solutions
Alex Bevis, PMS
What the winner said: It was an extremely tough competition and the judges deliberated at length. The winner has had a personal impact on the club's many successes and has steered the club in a clear direction over the past 12 months.
Broker: Buying rental property supported by mortgage solutions
David Gissing, LDN Finance
Winner's comment: David understands the value of building relationships with lenders to assist his clients and has a strong understanding of the criteria. A holistic, professional approach to advising his clients to achieve the best possible outcome.
Business Leaders: A Network Supported by Halifax Brokers
Vicky Jefferies, PRIMIS Mortgage Network
Winners' comments: Our winners ultimately stood out not only for their outstanding leadership within their businesses, but also for their influence and impact on the wider market.
Broker: Large loans supported by Coutts
Sy Nathan, Dynamo
Winner's comments: It was a very close competition between the two finalists, but Sy's hungry spirit and passion shone through, demonstrating an impressive commercial performance and strong relationships with multiple lenders and banks.
Business Leader: Mortgage Advice Bureau backed intermediary lenders (over £5 billion in annual lending)
Charlotte Harrison, Skipton Building Society for Intermediaries
Winners comment: She has demonstrated impressive personal leadership traits, driving real innovation for the benefit of the market and demonstrating empathy for all members of the business.
Broker: Overall supported by NatWest
Kirsty Dudek, Lavender Mortgages
Winner's comment: Customer-focused, team-oriented and a valued member of the local community, Kirsty has always adapted, even in challenging times, to lead the business into a great position.
Bharat Sagar Lifetime Achievement Award supported by One Mortgage System
Alison Pallett, Nottingham for Brokers
What the winner said: This year's recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award began his career in the mortgage industry as an in-branch financial adviser for a building society in the early 1990s.
Their talent, drive and determination were quickly spotted and within a year they were promoted to branch managers.
In 1997, Allison was appointed to a national sales role and began building relationships that would endure and grow over her long career.
During her 25 years with the same lending company, she held a variety of roles and gained experience in a wide range of areas including underwriting, product design, sales and marketing, so it was only natural that she was promoted to Managing Director of Consumer Lending and then Director of Sales, a role in which she led the lending company back into the intermediation market after a period on the sidelines following the credit crunch.
In 2019, Alison moved to a specialist area of the mortgage industry, retirement lending startup, helping new lenders establish their brokerage footprint from the ground up, developing and executing sales strategies and becoming a respected presence in the field in the process.
Three and a half years later, Alison returned to the mutual insurance industry, joining a local building society under a dynamic new CEO, with a mandate to strengthen and specialise sales activities, lead the society into new areas and broaden and deepen key relationships.
The only thing you might wonder about Alison is her golf handicap. She is not only respected, but deeply loved by many in the market. She is a mentor to many of our current industry leaders. Known for not being afraid of difficult conversations, she has been a long-time advocate for DE&I in every role she has held.
Allison is not just a great person, she is a great person – her impact on those she meets is often described as profound, compassionate and constructive.