As the UK celebrates Armed Forces Day, a new initiative aimed at bringing service leavers and veterans into the mortgage intermediary market has progressed to an exciting stage of development, with the first service leaver about to commence her career journey in the mortgage industry (via this scheme).
The new programme, titled Mortgage Jobs for Heroes, is a joint initiative between Working in Mortgages and The Brightstar Group and has been developed to encourage Armed Forces personnel leaving service to consider careers across the UK mortgage sector, with a focus on highlighting transferable skills and creating structured entry routes into intermediary roles.
Earlier this year, the Brightstar Group and Working in Mortgages attended the National Transition Event at Silverstone, an annual event which attracted over 1,000 Service Leavers, Veterans and their families. It is positioned as a major careers and networking forum for those moving into civilian employment.
Since this time, a database of service leavers and veterans who are interested in exploring roles in the sector has begun to develop, with the first service leaver, Zoe Catherall, who served with the Royal Air Force, scheduled to begin her placement at The Brightstar Group. Fittingly, she will have the opportunity to work alongside Lee Payne, National Account Manager, who himself joined the company having previously served as a Regimental Sergeant Major in the Royal Engineers.
‘Mortgage Jobs for Heroes’ is now appealing to organisations across the sector to step forward and become ‘host organisations’. Involvement and commitment can vary but might involve organisations oXering short term work placements of varying lengths, the opportunity to apply for job vacancies with guaranteed interviews and also permanent job roles, perhaps combined with apprenticeship openings or the pursuit of industry qualifications.
“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.”
Clare Jupp, Chief People OXicer at The Brightstar Group
“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.”
Stephanie Charman, Chief Executive of Association of Mortgage Intermediaries
“Mortgage Jobs for Heroes is not just about becoming a Mortgage Adviser or a Business Development Manager — there is a wide range of roles within the industry that are well suited to service leavers.
The sector oXers 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.”
Lee Payne, National Account Manager
