L&G Mortgage Club Awards 2025 Winners Supplement - Flipbook - Page 5
Experience and agility will
always ensure longevity
Clare Beardmore, director of distribution and mortgage club, L&G Mortgage Services
O
ver the past 30
years, the UK
mortgage market has
transformed several
times. From the creation of the
Eurozone to the early 2000s
expansion of high loan-to-income
lending to the current wave of
low LTV products, the market
has changed – and so has L&G’s
Mortgage Club business. As
director, I have the privilege of
seeing the club through its 30th
birthday. Like any birthday, it’s
a natural opportunity to pause
and re昀氀ect on the year gone by,
celebrate what went well, and
remember the challenges we’ve
overcome.
The past year has tested the
limits of resilience. From shifting
economic and geopolitical
conditions to changing buyer
behaviours, brokers and lenders
have had to stay agile. Yet amid
the challenges, we’ve seen signs
of recovery. Interest rates are
easing, and demand is steadily
climbing. Once again, our market
was carried by the strength of
exceptional adviser 昀椀rms.
As we step into the second
half of 2025, our feet are resting
on strong foundations. That’s
down to the passion, people and
adaptability within our industry.
Every adviser, lender, and partner
we work with contributes to a
shared mission: delivering better
outcomes for borrowers across
the UK.
Celebrating 30 years
Thirty years in this industry is
no small achievement; it’s a
milestone that shows how far
we’ve come while allowing us
to look ahead with renewed
ambition. Over that time, we’ve
worked with thousands of
advisers, facilitated over £1trn in
lending, and consistently evolved.
This anniversary is a testament to
our team and standout advisers.
Technology as a partner, not
a replacement
There is no doubt that the next
4
the need for clear, tailored, and
responsible guidance is only
increasing. Advisers are stepping
up in a big way, demonstrating
the deep knowledge and client昀椀rst mentality that has long set
this community apart.
With the FCA’s consultation
paper looming, the industry will
need to speak with one voice on
the importance of advice, not just
for consumers, but for regulators
and policymakers too. We must
continue to showcase the value
that advisers bring. Not just in
product recommendation, but
in the broader, holistic support
they offer clients during major life
decisions.
Demand is rising; let’s be
ready
chapter for our industry will
be shaped by technology. AI,
automation and digital tools
are already transforming broker
operations, allowing advisers to
focus more on delivering expert,
human-led advice.
However, while technology
is advancing at a pace, it’s
important to remember that it
can’t replicate human empathy,
trust and a nuanced humanto-human understanding.
Homeownership is a personal,
emotional decision, and clients
will always value the reassurance
of human guidance.
Consumers now expect
faster, smoother, tech-enabled
service in every part of their lives,
and the mortgage process is no
exception. Brokers who embrace
innovation while maintaining a
strong personal touch will meet
these expectations and build
long-lasting relationships for
years to come.
Advice has never been more
valuable
We truly believe this is a golden
age for advice. Against the
backdrop of market uncertainty
and complex product ranges,
Clare Beardmore,
Director of
distribution and
mortgage club,
L&G Mortgage
Services
“
The signs are encouraging.
Buyer enquiries are increasing,
approvals are up, and product
innovation is opening new doors.
Lower-deposit mortgages and
昀氀exible solutions are returning
to help support 昀椀rst-time
buyers and those with complex
circumstances.
Right now, 1.8 million 昀椀xedrate mortgages will mature in
2025. According to our Ignite
broker platform, 昀椀rst-time buyer
activity jumped 45% in Q1
compared to Q4 last year. Now is
the time to convert that activity
into lasting momentum. That
means giving brokers the tools,
training, and support to serve an
evolving client base.
Our latest
research
ahead
underscores Looking
The hard work of the past year
just how vital has laid strong roots for the next
of growth, both for us
advisers will phase
and the industry. But for now, as
continue to be market conditions stabilise, it’s
’’
time to move from resilience to
reinvention.
Let’s embrace innovation
with purpose and protect the
power of human advice. Together,
we can continue to build an
industry that is fairer, faster, and
more responsive to those who
rely on it.
