The industry trio is urging colleagues to join the ED&I – Mortgage Strategy conversation
Three top mortgage leaders have urged colleagues across the sector to take part in Working in Mortgages’ 2026 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) survey, warning that progress risks stalling if people think the conversation is ‘not about them’.
The Mortgage Advice Bureau’s director of housing strategy Ben Thompson said one of the clearest lessons from his nearly four decades in the industry is that talent and leadership power “is not confined to one background, gender or ethnicity”.
“I think the mortgage industry understands much better today that ED&I is not just a culture initiative, it’s a business imperative. There is a greater appreciation that diverse teams lead to better decision making, stronger customer understanding and ultimately better results for both customers and businesses.”
Thompson also urged those who may feel disconnected from the ED&I discussions not to dismiss these issues. “I would say that diversity and inclusion is about all of us, because we all benefit from working in an environment where people feel respected, respected and able to contribute fully,” he said.
Managing director of legal & general, mortgage services Kevin Roberts said that ED&I Viewpoint’s 2021 real-world survey has fundamentally changed his understanding of the issues.
“Before I saw the results of the previous research, I didn’t know some of the things that many people in our industry were dealing with because they didn’t happen to me,” he said. “This study opened my eyes to the behavior that many of my colleagues faced that I had never seen or understood.”
Roberts added that he is especially looking for people who may feel that ED&I discussions are not important to them to get involved in new research.
“I would encourage everyone in every industry to get involved, even if you don’t immediately think that these conversations apply to you,” he said. “The more people participate, the more meaningful and useful the findings will be.”
Coreco Mortgage Brokers chief executive Andrew Montlake, and chairman of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, warned that without further focus the industry could go backwards.
“Without the 2021 ED&I study we would not be connected and we would not see some of the important issues in our work,” he said. “The findings were a real surprise.”
Montlake said that this study contributed to the development of existing programs including Working in Mortgages and the Diversity and Inclusivity Finance Forum.
“We are in a much better position than we were,” he said. “But progress is not guaranteed. I worry about EDI fatigue setting in, or people thinking that the work is somehow over. That’s why this survey is important. It gives people an opportunity to talk honestly about their experiences and helps ensure that these conversations continue to move forward rather than backwards.”
The AMI ED&I Viewpoint study is designed to create an updated picture of the lived experience across the real estate industry and track progress since the landmark 2021 report.
This survey is now open to all who work in the entire real estate and security sector.
Participate in the survey here: 25215 Association of Mortgage Intermediaries
