The Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter has added three new signatories, bringing firms that have signed the document to 77. 

Mainstream lender Virgin Money, directly authorised firm Clayhall Financial and JLM mortgage network have all agreed to the code’s pledges “in recent weeks,” says the not-for-profit industry body.  

It adds that the charter now covers over 15,000 staff working in the industry since the body was launched with seven founding members in October 2021. 

The code is based around six key principles, including, developing mental health awareness among employees using activities and advocacy.  

And, encouraging open conversations about mental health and supporting employees who may be struggling. 

Chartwell Mortgage Services sales director Scott Howitt, and founding MIMHC member, says: “The recent additions continue to demonstrate the diversity of our signatories which now include small and medium-sized broker firms, mainstream mortgage lenders, challenger banks, insurers, mortgage clubs, mortgage networks, trade publishers and conveyancers.   

“Our 2023 survey recently confirmed that 42% of respondents are offered zero health and wellbeing support from their employer or simply do not know one is in place.  

Howitt adds: “We will not be satisfied until all companies operating in our sector deliver even the most basic of mental health support which might just be encouraging conversation no matter the topic.” 

The body’s founding members are: Crystal Specialist Finance, Coreco, Chartwell Mortgage Services, Landbay, Brightstar, Knowledge Bank and SimplyBiz Mortgages.