Three senior mortgage leaders have urged colleagues across the sector to take part in the 2026 Mortgage Business Viewpoint research on equality, diversity and inclusion (ED&I), warning that progress could falter if people assume the conversation is “not about them”.
One of the clearest lessons from his nearly four decades in the industry is that talent and leadership potential are “never limited to one background, gender or race,” said Ben Thompson, mortgage consultancy’s director of Home Relocation Strategy.
“I think the mortgage industry better understands today that ED&I is not just a cultural initiative, it is a business necessity. There is a much greater appreciation that diverse teams lead to better decision making, a stronger understanding of customers, and ultimately better outcomes for both customers and businesses.”
Thompson also urged those who may feel disconnected from ED&I discussions not to dismiss these issues. “I would say that diversity and inclusion is something that matters to all of us, because each of us benefits from working in an environment where people feel respected, valued and able to contribute fully,” he said.
Kevin Roberts, managing director of legal and public affairs, Mortgage Services, said the original 2021 ED&I Viewpoint research fundamentally changed his understanding of the issues.
“Before I saw the results of the latest survey, I simply wasn’t aware of some of the experiences that many people in our industry were dealing with because they hadn’t happened to me,” he said. “The research opened my eyes to behaviors that many colleagues encountered that I had never seen or understood before.”
Roberts added that he especially wanted people who might feel that ED&I conversations are irrelevant to the topic to participate in the new research.
“I would encourage everyone in the sector to get involved, even if you don’t immediately think these conversations apply to you,” he said. “The more people involved, the more meaningful and useful the results will be.”
Without sustained focus, the industry risks falling backwards, warned Andrew Montlake, CEO of Coreco Mortgage Brokers and president of the Mortgage Brokers Association.
“If it were not for the 2021 ED&I survey, we would have been disconnected from and blind to some of the major problems in our profession,” he said. “The results were a real wake-up call.”
Montlake said the research served as a catalyst for positive change, helping to support the development of initiatives including Action on Mortgage and the Diversity and Inclusion Finance Forum.
He added: “We are in a much better position than we were.” “But progress is never guaranteed. I worry that EDI fatigue will creep in, or that people will assume that the work is somehow over. That’s exactly why this survey is so important. It gives people the opportunity to talk openly about their experiences and helps ensure that these conversations continue to move forward instead of backwards.”
the AMI ED&I Perspective Research It is designed to build an up-to-date picture of lived experiences across the mortgage industry and track progress since the landmark 2021 report.
The survey is now open to all those working in the mortgage and protection sector.
Participate in the survey here:25215 Mortgage Brokers Association
