Diversity & Inclusivity Finance Forum Podcast: Recent Episodes
Diversity & Inclusivity Finance Forum Podcast
In this honest and engaging discussion, we explore what it means to build a career in the mortgage industry as a young professional. From establishing trust and overcoming stereotypes to the evolving role of networking and mentorship, our guests reflect on the experiences, challenges and opportunities they have encountered along the way. We also explore age as an important dimension of diversity and inclusion, and consider how employers can create environments where emerging professionals are heard and empowered to thrive.
Bharat Sagar talks to Andrew Calder and Claire Towie about how economic abuse impacts the mortgage market and what the adviser and lender response should be.
An open and insightful conversation exploring the panellists' experiences of spring – from a cultural and religious perspective – covering Easter, Vaisakhi, Ramadan and Eid, which all cross over within a few weeks of each other for the first time in recent years. We explore how living in a multicultural society has helped inform and educate on the variety of beliefs that shape and unite us, and touch on the commercialisation of Easter – asking the question of whether this has diluted the religious importance of this season.
Trailblazers Indie Bansi and Paul Purewal discuss their careers and how they were both treated in the Midlands. They examine how their cultures shaped their values and what concerns them about some developing behaviours in today’s society.
In this episode of the DIFF podcast, Carrie Carlisle and Jo Pocklington open up a timely and honest conversation about mental health and anxiety in today’s fast-paced, high-pressure world. They explore how anxiety shows up in life and at work, why it’s still so hard to talk about, and what leaders, organisations and communities can do to better support their people.
In this festive podcast episode, Gurpreet Chahal, Karen Rodrigues and Zainab Zalai share what this season looks like for them, from family traditions and personal rituals to surprising cultural crossovers.It’s a joyful mix of faiths, food and global Christmas quirks, all sprinkled with curiosity and plenty of festive spirit.
C Mortgages cover the real-world impact that DIFF has had on them and their businesses.
G Mortgage Services, who will provide honest and practical insights to help us all listen better, communicate more thoughtfully, and build true flexibility into our workplace, creating environments where every parent can truly thrive.
This episode focuses on individuals joining the Diversity and Inclusivity Finance Forum (DIFF) through its bursary initiative. Hazvi Chimbetete, partner at John Charcol and Jennifer Nursiah, partner at Coreco Group discuss the real-world impact that DIFF has had on them and their businesses.
Two trailblazers reaching the top by very different routes. Oli O’Donoghue and Emma Hollingworth talk about their careers and how to use adversity to your advantage.
From a French prison to the youngest head of distribution in the industry Bharat Sagar is joined by John Cupis to listen to the amazing life story of the rise and rise of Rachael Hunnisett
This podcast will explore what allyship is and why it is so important, understand how an ally could be a catalyst for your own or a colleague’s progression in the workplace and what is the best starting point for becoming an ally, while making yourself available and for others to be aware of your willingness to help.
Why it’s important to maintain your commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I). In this episode, three mortgage market A listers discuss the challenges to DE&I and why successful companies are sticking to their commitments.
In this episode, Gurpreet Chahal, corporate account manager at Accord Mortgages and Andy Walton, protection proposition director at Mortgage Advice Bureau, speak to host Shekina Tuahene, deputy editor and commercial editor at Mortgage Solutions, about how their respective religious beliefs are entwined with their daily lives and how big of an influence it has on their careers.
In this episode of the DIFF podcast, host Jack Wride, senior conference producer at Mortgage Solutions, explores neurodiversity in the workplace with a range of experts including Nathyn Kerchhoff, founder of NDK Solutions, and dedicated advocate for neurodiversity awareness, Nicola Alvarez, senior manager mortgage distribution – proposition development at Accord Mortgages, as well as equity, diversity and inclusion (ED&I) lead at the company. She is also neurodivergent herself and the parent of a neurodiverse son. The podcast also features guest Rosie Higgins, director of Unquiet Media, a consultancy and content production company focusing on the human mind, more specifically on neurodiversity and mental health.If you would like to reach out to our speakers with any questions, you can reach them here:Nathyn: nathyn.kerchhoff@ndksolutions.co.ukRosie: rosie@unquietmedia.com
Trailblazer Sian McIntyre, head of acquisition and engagement - life moments at Barclays talks about her career and the importance of diversity with host Bharat Sagar, ambassador at large at AE3 Media, and Kevin Roberts, managing director of mortgage services, Legal & General.
Two industry stalwarts discuss the mental health challenges that the darker months and the festive season pose to many people. This episode features a mixture of observations and lived experiences with useful tips to stay mentally well at this time of year.
On this month’s #DIFF podcast, Danielle Moore speaks with Sarah Tucker from The Mortgage Mum about her journey back to work after having her third baby, but now as a CEO. Their conversation is insightful and candid around the vulnerabilities and insecurities that this has shone a light on for Sarah, gives clear tips to returning mums in leadership positions and suggestions of how to navigate this time.
In this eye-opening episode, we delve into the complexities of pale skin privilege within the mixed-race experience. From being disbelieved about their heritage to encountering casual racism, Rachel Edwards, senior policy adviser of AMI and Chloe Hylton, operational surveying director of Horde share stories from their personal lives and explore the impact these experiences have had on them.Join us for an insightful conversation about identity and the importance of looking beyond appearances.
Trailblazers - Sim Sahota on standing up to bullies, the value of DIFF and opening new markets by Diversity & Inclusivity Finance Forum Podcast
Success doesn’t need a degree, it needs drive, hard work and people who believe in you. In this episode, chair of DIFF Bharat Sagar hears how two industry leaders, Alan Longhorn and Liz Syms, built successful careers, despite never going to university.
In this episode, Anna Sagar, deputy editor of Mortgage Solutions and editor of Specialist Lending Solutions, talks with Maria Harris, founder and chair of the Open Property Data Association, and Cloe Atkinson, chief operating officer of Mortgage Brain about their experiences as women in technology. They talk about how they first entered the mortgage market and made the leap into the technology space and their lived experiences. They also discuss the main barriers to getting women into technology and how they can be overcome as well as what the potential ramifications are for the technology sector if women do not have a seat at the table.
Join Bharat Sagar this month as he chats with Charles Morley from Metro Bank and Adrian Vickery from Knight Frank Finance. They share their experiences raising neurodiverse children, navigating the transition into adulthood and the impact of neurodiversity on their professional lives. Listen in as they discuss how being caregivers has enriched their personal and professional journeys.
In this candid podcast, Luke Beisiegel of DIFF is joined by Steve Bryan from The Exeter, Atlyn Forde of Pepper Money and William Lloyd-Hayward of The Brightstar Group to dissect microaggressions and discuss lived experiences, highlighting the long-term impact of these sometimes not-so-subtle instances. Hear our guests speak of techniques to deal with these situations and offer advice on increasing awareness of microaggressions throughout society.
Intersectionality is a hurdle but not necessarily a brick wall. In this trailblazer podcast, Bharat Sagar speaks candidly with Andy Dean from Nationwide and Sonya Matharu, The Mortgage Mum, about how Sonya overcame gender, ethnicity and dyslexia to become an award-winning adviser in an award-winning brokerage.
George Higginson of Bank of Ireland for Intermediaries and Adrian Moloney from OSB Group join Bharat Sagar to reflect on the significant evolution in attitudes towards the Irish. From the era marked by the infamous sign 'No Blacks, No Dogs, No Irish', to witnessing Ireland become a beloved contender across various global sports, this interesting conversation is not one to be missed.
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 talent within the industry. An interesting discussion not to be missed.
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 go.
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 take on childcare duties, if we can challenge the idea that caregiving is a woman's role and the benefits of enhancing gender equality at work.
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 playing field.
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 experience of pale or white privilege, otherness and what companies can do better to support, attract and retain mixed race employees.
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 close family members with depression and the life choices that he has made as a result.An inspiring and essential listen.
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 anyone undergoing treatment. *Please note this episode does deal with pregnancy loss which some listeners may find difficult to listen to.
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 Hartwell who will share their own very personal accounts. An important listen for business leaders, colleagues and anyone undergoing treatment.
*Please note this episode does deal with pregnancy loss which some listeners may find difficult to listen to.
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 similar situation.
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 changed, what still needs to change and what the differences for working mothers are when it comes to a self-employed versus a corporate environment.
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 employers should be doing right now to support their staff.
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.
In this episode, Bharat catches up with Dev Malle, chief business development officer at Simplify and Roland McCormack, mortgage distribution director at TSB as they deep dive into how they started in the mortgage industry with a focus on their different backgrounds. Some of the topics discussed in the podcast include social mobility, intersectionality as well as cultural expectations.
In this episode, Bharat catches up with Ali Crossley, managing director at L&G, to speak about their company initiative of pushing diversity and inclusion forward with their reverse mentoring programme.
They are joined by a mentor and mentee from the programme; David Ware, senior HR business partner and Morgan Spillane, IT and change management director, to discuss their learnings and experience.
In this episode, Bharat catches up with Damian Thompson, group managing director at Aldermore and Rob Jupp, group CEO at Brightstar Financial as they deep-dive into their past experiences. The pair recount their journeys and highlight the hurdles they faced along the way to achieving success in the mortgage industry. They also share some valuable tips on progressing your own career and creating opportunities for others.
In this episode, we speak to successful B2L events consultant Richard Thomas from Legal & General and CEO of Bluestone Mortgages, Steve Seal. They discuss their past experiences of being gay men in the mortgage industry and discuss changes in attitudes and the shift in the language used in relation to gay men.
In this episode, we speak to Sidney Wager, intermediary markets director at Barclays, and Martin Reynolds, CEO at SimplyBiz Mortgages. The conversation focuses on unconscious bias, what businesses need to do to change their recruitment processes in order to increase diversity, thinking long-term rather than short-term and increasing curiosity both within the industry and outside the industry to expand the recruitment pool.
In this episode, we speak to marketing and diversity and inclusion consultant and co-founder of Become, Aimée Gaudin and Sarah Green, head of customer acquisition at Virgin Money. The conversation focuses on intersectionality - or the overlapping of a number of different disadvantages - to explore the importance of recognising some very unique experiences of discrimination. We probe the extra pressure some may face through further prejudice and oppression because aspects of their identity intersect with each other
In this episode, we speak to successful mortgage broker Dina Bhudia from P2M Asset Management and managing director of Santander for Intermediaries Brad Fordham. They discuss their shared past experiences including working at Abbey National together, exploring the paths and hurdles they faced in developing the successful careers they enjoy today. The conversation discusses topics of social mobility, intersectionality, cultural expectations of gender roles and the challenge of being a woman in a historically male-dominated industry.
In episode 6 we speak to Huy Le from Dynamo and Richard Rowntree from Paragon, who discuss identity foreclosure and how education and representation can be useful tools in raising awareness of the different opportunities available to ensure everyone within society can reach their full potential. The discussion also touches upon improving equality of progression as currently, within the financial services industry, 89% of the most senior roles are held by those from higher socio-economic backgrounds compared to 52% of UK CEOs economy wide. This illustrates the importance of not just attracting diverse talent from new pools and non-traditional routes, but of developing and encouraging that talent equally.
In this episode we speak to Chloe Hylton from Legal & General Surveying Services & Ben Thompson from Mortgage Advice Bureau who discuss imposter syndrome in the workplace and delve into the traditionally male dominated surveying industry, the perceptions and the changes being made to encourage a more diverse range of candidates to see surveying as a career for them.
In this episode, we discuss how must we change the way we recruit in order to attract and retain a more diverse and inclusive workforce in the UK mortgage market.
In this episode, trailblazers Saj Latif & Ali Crossley discuss their careers and the advice they would give their younger selves with examples of how diversity & inclusion within workforces benefits both customers and businesses alike. They also touch on the initiatives they are involved in pushing diversity & inclusion forward within the industry.
In this episode, Bharat is joined by Frank Starling from Variety Pack where they discuss the rise of micro aggressions and delve into their experiences to explain what micro aggressions are, how they manifest and in turn how we can be more mindful of the language we use.
In this episode we speak to trailblazers Richard Goppy & Esther Dijkstra who discuss their careers, the challenges they have faced and their views on how we can move our industry forward in terms of diversity and inclusivity.