Black Mortgage Professionals & Allies Network (BMPAN) marked its first anniversary with an event at Lloyds Banking Group HQ on 23rd October, bringing together over 100 people from the mortgage and financial services sector.
The network, set up in 2024 by Jeffrey Krampah-Williams, national key account manager at Santander, Aleka Gutzmore, financial adviser at Moneysprite, and Atlyn Forde, head of engagement and inclusion at Pepper Money, started with a single Black History Month networking event.
Since then, BMPAN has held four events, grown its membership, and focused on supporting Black professionals and their allies in the industry.
Forde said: “We created BMPAN because we recognised the need for a safe, empowering space where Black professionals could connect, grow, and be visible.
“This anniversary event was a celebration of our progress and a powerful reminder of how much more we can achieve together.”
The event opened with remarks from Rose St Louis, protection director at Scottish Widows and CEO at Cavendish Online.
St Louis spoke about allyship and the need for industry collaboration to improve inclusion.
Event proceedings, hosted by Gutzmore, covered a fireside chat on purpose-led leadership led by Atlyn Forde, with Isaac Kikabi, BDM at BM Solutions, Hazvi Chimbete, partner at John Charcoal, and Khalia Ismain, social sustainability director at Lloyds Banking Group.
Each panellist spoke about their journey, the importance of purpose in their work, and giving back to the community.
A panel discussion on leadership followed, with Krampah-Williams moderating.
Panellists were Teddy Nyahasha, finance director at Lloyds Banking Group, Zanele Sibanda, head of business development at Towergate Health & Protection, Dom Scott, managing director at Lifetime Connect, Rebecca Grant, senior mortgage consultant at Countrywide, and Marcus Dussard, sales director at KSEYE.
The group looked at cultural pride, authentic leadership and breaking down barriers in the workplace.
During the event, BMPAN carried out a real-time poll.
It found 63% of attendees had over 10 years’ experience in the mortgage and financial services industry, and 70% had been promoted in their roles.
Despite this, Black professionals still hold a low share of senior positions in the sector.
Krampah-Williams said: “The results highlight what we’ve known all along—there is no shortage of Black excellence in this sector. It’s time the industry truly recognised and invested in that.”
BMPAN’s aim is to build a supportive community for Black professionals and their allies, offering opportunities for networking, learning and career development.
The network wants to see 4% of leadership roles in the sector held by Black professionals, in line with the UK population.
Gutzmore added: “We’ve built this network with love, grit, and commitment. But we can’t do this alone.
“The next chapter of our impact will be written by everyone who chooses to act.”
