How long have you worked in financial services and what do you hope to achieve in your new role?

I began my career at Lloyds Bank before joining John Charcol in 2019. My current role has filled me with an enormous sense of pride and achievement. Moving up the ‘corporate ladder’, there were very few individuals who represented my background and ethnicity.

I want to bring confidence and knowledge to potential homeowners and help those in less fortunate positions to overcome any barriers and become property owners.

The government already supports homeowners through a range of schemes. Similar schemes for mortgage prisoners should be feasible

I also want to create more opportunities and be a campaigner for diversity and inclusion. Using my experience in the industry, I can raise awareness and positive messages about the benefits of having a multicultural and multi-layered company that represents our community and society.

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

Making the move from a high-street lender to a mortgage broker has been the defining point in my career. John Charcol has brought me so many opportunities, working with fantastic individuals.

The government should be looking at brownfield sites to help towards building sustainable homes

We have an all-female management and marketing team, a diverse mortgage and back office, and me as the PR spokesperson. Many new starters have spoken about joining because of the Charcol brand, but also because of the diversity and inclusion the business represents at all levels.

What do you believe the industry learned, if anything, from the fallout from the pandemic?

The pandemic has changed attitudes in how we treat employees, giving them the freedom to enjoy a healthy work-life balance and removing any barriers, but also encouraging individuals in the right way.

Employers are supporting staff in confronting mental health and welfare when working from home, and communication is open due to the lack of face-to-face interaction because we are no longer in an office together.

Moving up the ‘corporate ladder’, there were very few individuals who represented my background and ethnicity

Throughout Covid, technology has improved service and efficiency, along with the mortgage process, as lenders and all stakeholders have taken on similar approaches.

Is there anything you would change about the mortgage industry?

I’d like to see more diversity and inclusion.

Throughout my career, I have attended many executive meetings and industry events that were heavily dominated by white middle-aged men. The recent Ami report was a breath of fresh air, and the conversations that are now taking place about the future are positive.

If you could choose any job outside financial services, what would it be?

An astronaut. Being in space, looking out but also looking back at Earth, would be an amazing experience.

Who knows? If space-travel prices get cheaper in 20 years’ time, that may still happen, albeit for five minutes.

What do you believe should be the government’s main objectives for 2022?

The government should be looking at brownfield sites to help towards building sustainable homes. Many developers believe this is the answer to Britain’s housing crisis and have been crying out for support in order to reach new-build targets.

The Financial Conduct Authority needs to work in co-operation about mortgage prisoners, on new ideas across the industry to support lenders. We have seen how the government already supports homeowners through a range of schemes. Similar schemes for mortgage prisoners should be feasible.

Making the move from a high-street lender to a mortgage broker has been the defining point in my career

With lenders starting to focus on ‘green mortgages’, and potentially offering discounted rates and greater affordability calculations based on an energy performance certificate, surely now is the time to ensure a system made compulsory in 2008 is still suitable.

What is the best advice you have ever received?

My parents have certain mottos. One that stuck with me and I have passed on to my kids is: ‘I won’t have an issue if you aim high and miss, but I will do if you aim low and hit.’

It took me a while because you can imagine trying to see the benefit of this at a younger age. But as I have matured it’s one that I continually try to adopt.