Panellists at the inaugural Square 1 Media Mortgage Market Debate unanimously highlighted the critical role mortgage intermediaries would play in the future lending landscape.
The event took place at The Royal Society of Arts in London in May, sponsored by technology and design agency MagiClick and customer relationship management (CRM) system provider One Mortgage System (OMS).
The aim of the debate was to bring together senior leaders and stakeholders from across the mortgage industry and encourage frank and honest debate on a range of topics affecting the mortgage market today and in the future.
Panellists included Richard Beardshaw, head of sales, mortgage intermediaries at HSBC, Dirk Bekker, director of DMFCO, Jackie Bennett OBE, chair of the Bank of England residential property forum and ex-director of mortgages at UK Finance, and Brian Pitt, CEO at Rockstead.
The debate was chaired by journalist and industry spokesperson, Paula John.
The 90-minute panel covered topics including interest rates, house prices, the impact of the cost-of-living crisis, Consumer Duty and how this might change the intermediary-lender relationship, price-led competition, potential Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) legislation, acquisitions and consolidation, how to raise environmental, social and governance (ESG) standards, tackling the housing supply gap and the role of intermediaries in the future UK lending landscape.
Paul Hunt, managing director at Square 1 Media, said: “The feedback from the event has been hugely positive and it was great to see so many people take the time out of their busy schedules to attend what proved to be a fascinating, insightful and highly enjoyable day.”
Bennett added: “I was delighted to be part of the panel for the inaugural Mortgage Market Debate.
“We covered a wide range of topics and I got the impression that there was still more to discuss. Plenty for the next debate.”
Pitt said: “A quality event hosted by a quality team in a great venue. It’s always pleasing to get proper debate going with experienced people, who like me, have been in the market for a long time.
“I enjoyed our conversation and my thanks to the organisers, contributors and audience for an enjoyable day.”
