Mortgage platform Smartr365 and broker network The Money Group have launched a series of roadshows “to inform and educate the intermediary sector” about digitisation in the mortgage process.

The first joint event in the series – which will also include investors, reporters and other industry professionals — took place at Smartr365’s London office in Hammersmith on 21 July. 

At the event, “both firms also discussed the importance of ensuring that the positive strides taken during the Covid-19 pandemic are translated into long-term transformative change for the mortgage industry.”

The firms say the benefits of increased use of technology by brokers include greater “client ownership” through access and control of data, and a better overview of pipeline sales and cashflow.

The Money Group chief executive Martin Stewart says: “Smartr365 shares our vision for the future of the mortgage industry – technology has to play a central role as we move out of the Covid-19 pandemic. 

“The sector needs to read the room better – consolidation is at long last arriving on our shores, so there will be no room for antiquated processes or amateurism in how we service and communicate with the consumer. 

“In recent news, we have seen a lot of restructuring of ‘robo advisor’ firms – this tells me that investors are waking up to the fact that technology will not replace the advisor, but that instead we need to harness it in order to improve what the advisor does.”

Smartr365 founder and chief executive Conor Murphy adds: “For our sector to capitalise on the progress made in the last 18 months, big players need to work together to ensure that technology remains central to advisors’ day to day jobs – that’s what our new partnership does. 

“We have a clear vision on where the industry is heading and by collaborating with The Money Group we can help lead it to a brighter and more efficient future. 

“Not only are we continuing the rapid user growth experienced over the past year, but we are ensuring that together we can shape the development of the mortgage journey.”

Earlier this week, The Money Group opened its 18th brokerage brand, Cheshire Money, under the leadership of Andrew Jones and Samantha Attwood.

The pair both join from Just Mortgages where they have been based for the past year. They will be working from new offices in Northwich.

The Money Group plans to open 50 new broker businesses over the next five years.