Diversity & Inclusivity Finance Forum Podcast

In this episode, David Adjei-Barwuah is joined by Taylor Osunsedo from Alternative Bridging Corporation and Sabrine Ouladihil of Bluestone Mortgages to discuss working in the mortgage industry from the viewpoint of someone under 30. They examine how the perception of youth can both serve and hinder people on their professional paths, whilst discussing what can be done to attract and retain younger...

In this month’s #DIFF podcast, Bharat Sagar is joined by Lesley Capellaro from Barclays and Aleka Gutzmore of Moneysprite, representing both the lender and broker sides of the market, to share their personal stories. They talk openly about their challenges, victories, and hopes for a better future. It is a compelling listen, perfect to lift the spirits at the start of the New Year!

In this episode Bharat Sagar, from Mortgage Solutions, discusses the challenges facing Muslim women in the job market. Joining the conversation is Sameera Khaliq from Skipton Building Society and Clare Beardmore from Legal & General Mortgage Club.

In conversation with AMI chief executive Robert Sinclair, Bharat discusses Robert’s journey through the industry and how diversity and inclusivity (D&I) has grown to be the necessity it is today. Touching on Robert’s early career, they openly talk about past behaviours and key steps taken to ensure the industry remains a trailblazer for D&I. We have come a long way but still have much further to g...

On this month’s #DIFF podcast, Danielle Moore speaks with Esther Dijkstra from Lloyds Banking Group and Andrew Montlake from Coreco about balancing their careers with the demands of school-age children. They explore why this difficulty persists and what the industry can do to address it. You will hear them discuss whether there should be more workplace cultures that positively encourage men to tak...

On this month’s #DIFF podcast, Bharat Sagar speaks with Lee Albino from Shawbrook Bank and Lee Brewer from Connells Group about their personal journey with disability. They discuss the challenges that come with being born with a disability and becoming disabled. These are two very real stories from our world.

In this episode, Shekina Tuahene speaks with IMLA’s Kate Davies and L&G’s Ali Crossley about the position of white women in the mortgage sector who face their own barriers but are also uniquely placed to be either allies or gatekeepers to those from other minority groups. In this candid conversation, the two speak about their advantages over others and what can be done to create a more even playin...

Luke Beisiegel is joined by William Lloyd-Hayward, group chief operating officer of The Brightstar Group, and Hannah Oades, key accounts manager at United Trust Bank, to discuss pinkwashing and the effect it has on brand engagement. They cover the history of Pride and further policies that can be implemented within businesses to improve inclusivity for all LGBTQ+ people.

Bharat Sagar discusses accent bias with two industry icons, Brad Fordham from Santander for Intermediaries and Martin Reynolds from SimplyBiz Mortgages. They discuss how accents could hamper career progression and why they shouldn’t hold you back. Another unconscious bias we must be aware of.

How did our trade bodies react to increased awareness of D&I issues and what are they planning for the future? Bharat Sagar talks to the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries’ Rachel Edwards as well as change maker and British Mortgage Awards winner, Nicola Goldie from Virgin Money.

Bharat Sagar discusses privilege, awareness, responsibility and change with industry stalwarts Kevin Roberts and Phil Rickards.

Dina Bhudia and Richard Goppy reflect on changes both in their own lives and in the industry since their last trailblazer podcasts. Have we taken strides forward, do they feel they are being heard and what comes next? They also discuss the tricky issue of what it means to be ‘woke’.

In this #DIFF episode, guest host Anna Sagar, reporter at Mortgage Solutions, talks to Chloe Hylton, regional manager and surveyor at Legal & General Surveying Services, and Rob Gill, managing director of Altura Finance, about their lived experiences of mixed race identity. In this honest discussion, the three share their personal stories, looking at assumptions made about mixed race identity, the...

In this #DIFF episode, two of the most respected leaders in the mortgage industry discuss their personal experiences with the biggest mental health condition in the world. In a full and frank discussion, Rob Jupp chronicles his personal battles with depression from its start through work life, various treatments and how he is now accepting and even thriving with it. Ben Thompson talks about having...

In the final instalment of this month’s #DIFF podcast, Stephanie Charman and Sarah Hartwell discuss what businesses could be doing in order to support their employees through fertility challenges. Danielle Moore joins the conversation to touch upon the wider impact on family members and partners, and what support should be in place for them. An important listen for business leaders, colleagues and...

With one in six couples in the UK facing infertility, this is a very real issue. Those who experience this will be impacted emotionally as well as physically and often financially, meaning companies, whatever the size, need to be educated on the best way to support employees who are on this journey. In this episode, Danielle Moore speaks to the hugely courageous Stephanie Charman and Sarah Hartwel...

Bharat Sagar discusses the real and potential issues facing gay women in the mortgage industry. Through lived experiences and knowledgeable observations, Lauren Bagley and Vicky Kenny give their insight.

Alcoholism can wreck lives but with the support of others it doesn’t have to. In a hugely courageous and selfless act, Paul Adams details his decline into alcoholism and how colleagues, family and critically senior management helped him get back on track. Claire Smith joins the discussion and talks about practical things everyone can do from companies, colleagues and clients to help people in a si...

In this month’s #DIFF podcast, a very personal lived experience discussion on the core issues around mothers returning to work. Danielle Moore, operations director of mortgage solutions, talks to Sarah Tucker, founder of The Mortgage Mum and Esther Dijkstra, managing director, intermediaries at Lloyd Banking Group, about attitudes at work, at home and on the playground. They discuss what has chang...

In this episode Bharat Sagar talks to HSBC’s Tracie Burton about her journey through the industry with dyslexia, from private coaching and the challenges of lockdown to how dyslexia is now a recognised benefit on LinkedIn. They are joined by Primis COO Toni Smith who discusses what employers can do to tap into the huge wealth of talent that traditional employment processes can miss out on and what...

In this month’s #DIFF podcast and in celebration of national carers week Bharat Sagar speaks to Steve Ellis, The Phoenix Group and Geoff Garrett, Henry Dannell about their experiences of being fathers to differently abled children and issues of male carers in the corporate and self employed worlds. With a huge openness they share experiences, challenges and joys.

In this episode Bharat catches up with Mobeen Akram, national new homes account director at Mortgage Advice Bureau and Ian Andrew, managing director – intermediary sales at Nationwide. The podcast touches on social mobility and the pair reflect on their upbringings and cultural expectations. They discuss the mortgage industry and the need to widen the talent pool to attract diverse talent.

In this episode Bharat speaks to Rupi Hunjan, managing director of Censeo Financial and Andy Mason, head of strategic partnerships and housing at Lloyds Banking Group, as they dig deep into childhood memories, different journeys and accomplishments in the mortgage industry.

In this episode, Bharat catches up with Michele Golunska, CEO at Sesame Bankhall Group, to speak about the company’s diversity and inclusion initiatives. They are also joined by Frank Starling, CEO and founder of Variety Pack, who helped Sesame Bankhall Group to identify and discuss current D&I issues, before implementing strategies and procedures across the company.

In this episode, Bharat speaks with menopause expert Lucinda Pincott about the symptoms of perimenopause and how we can better understand it. They are also joined by Louise Colley who shares her experiences and tips for businesses to support women going through perimenopause and menopause.