#116 - Mortgage Mentors: Innovating Housing and Championing Diversity with Esther Dijkstra
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
Release Date: 01/28/2025
#129 - Economic Abuse in Mortgages
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
Warning: This episode discusses economic abuse and domestic abuse, which may be upsetting for some listeners. Please prioritise your well-being while listening. In episode #129 of the Growth Series podcast, Andrew Calder engages in a critical conversation about economic abuse in the mortgage industry with Claire Towe, Co-founder of Meet Margo, and Lauren Garrett, Financial Services Lead at Surviving Economic Abuse. This episode sheds light on the hidden struggles of economic control and the unique challenges women face in homeownership due to systemic inequalities. The discussion...
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#128 - Mortgage Mentors: Behind the Deals - What 35 Years in Mortgages Has Taught Me with Dev Malle
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
In episode #128 of the Growth Series podcast’s Mortgage Mentors series, Jeremy Duncombe, Managing Director at Accord Mortgages, chats with mortgage industry veteran Dev Malle, Chief Business Development Officer at Simplify, whose 35-year career spans lending, broking, and conveyancing. Dev shares lessons on resilience, adaptability, and innovation, plus personal stories of trekking adventures and mental health advocacy. From career milestones to mentorship, cultural exploration, and a lighthearted Secret Santa moment, this conversation offers both professional insight and personal...
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#127 - Mortgage Mentors: Navigating Change, Inclusion & Opportunity with Nicola Alvarez
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
In episode #127 of the Growth Series podcast’s Mortgage Mentors series, Jeremy Duncombe, Managing Director at Accord Mortgages, welcomes Nicola Alvarez, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Propositions at Accord Mortgages, who shares her extraordinary journey in the mortgage industry, beginning with her start at Nationwide in 1995. Her story is one of resilience, leadership, and a deep commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. Nicola discusses her passion for creating supportive work environments, inspired by her experiences as a mother and her advocacy for a son with autism and ADHD....
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#126 - Broker Talks: The Importance of Creating a Work Life Balance
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
In episode #126 of the Growth Series podcast, host Debjani Bajpai speaks with Kate McTernan, Director at Mortgage Advice Group, about how broker teams can find work-life balance in a demanding and fast-moving mortgage market. Kate shares practical strategies for managing workload, staying present for family life, and leading high-performing teams. With over 20 years in financial services and first-hand experience running a brokerage while raising a young family, Kate offers real-world advice on diary discipline, capping appointments, managing seasonal pressures, and building a supportive team...
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#125 - Mortgage Mentors: Intermediaries, Legislation & Legacy with Louisa Sedgwick
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
In episode #125 of the Growth Series podcast’s Mortgage Mentors series, Jeremy Duncombe, Managing Director at Accord Mortgages, speaks with Louisa Sedgwick, Managing Director of Mortgages at Paragon Banking Group PLC, as she shares her inspiring rise from a Youth Training Scheme to senior roles at major institutions, offering a powerful story of resilience in a traditionally male-dominated field. The episode explores the dynamic changes within the mortgage industry, emphasising the role of technology and AI in shaping its future. Louisa discusses the private rental sector's critical role and...
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#124 - Cyber Smart for Brokers
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
In episode #124 of the Growth Series podcast, host Iain Cunningham is joined by cybersecurity expert, Paul Lopez, to discuss the pressing issue of cybersecurity for small businesses, particularly mortgage brokers. Paul, who serves as the Director at The Eastern Cyber Resilience Centre, brings a unique perspective from his extensive background in law enforcement and cybercrime prevention. The episode highlights the collaborative efforts between various sectors to enhance cyber resilience, emphasising the importance of engaging with Cyber Resilience Centres for support and resources. Through a...
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#123 - Mortgage Mentors: Leadership in an Ever-Shifting Mortgage Market with Martin Reynolds
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
In episode #123 of the Growth Series podcast’s Mortgage Mentors series, Jeremy Duncombe, Managing Director at Accord Mortgages, has an insightful conversation with Martin Reynolds, CEO of SimplyBiz. Martin shares his extensive knowledge and experience from over 30 years in the mortgage industry, exploring the challenges and opportunities brokers face today. He reflects on the pivotal moments in his career that have shaped his leadership style and discusses the importance of adaptability in navigating economic shifts. He discusses the value of regulation and clear documentation in...
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#122 - Mental Health: Beyond the Targets
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
In episode #122 of the Growth Series podcast, host Kathy Clark is joined by Emma Tomes, Managing Director of The Mental Health People, and together, they explore the often-overlooked subject of mental health in high-pressure roles like mortgage brokering. Emma shares her personal journey into mental health advocacy following a family tragedy, which led her to create a supportive space for individuals struggling with mental health. Listeners will learn about the concept of a "stress container" and how recognising early signs of stress can be a game-changer in managing mental well-being....
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#121 - Mortgage Mentors: Overcoming Imposter Syndrome with Stephanie Charman
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
In episode #121 of the Growth Series podcast’s Mortgage Mentors series, host Jeremy Duncombe speaks with Stephanie Sharman, Chief Executive of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries. With nearly three decades in the industry, Stephanie shares her personal journey from an admin role at Abbey Life to leading AMI, and how values like diversity, inclusion and sustainability have shaped her leadership. The conversation with Steph explores the emotional impact of homeownership, the role of mortgage advisers in a volatile market, and how imposter syndrome, especially among women, can hinder...
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#120 - Green Mortgage Advice: Unlocking the Future
The Accord Mortgages Growth Series Podcast
In episode #120 of the Growth Series podcast, host Nicola Alvarez sits down with Chloe Timperley from the Green Finance Institute and Matt Coulson from Heron Financial to explore the rapidly evolving world of green mortgages. They discuss the innovative certification initiative by the Green Finance Institute, designed to empower brokers with the knowledge and confidence needed to navigate the green mortgage market. Chloe shares how this certification is setting a new standard in the industry, while Matt discusses the benefits of becoming certified, including attracting new clients and...
info_outlineMeet ballet dancer turned banking figurehead, Esther Dijkstra, Managing Director for Lloyds Banking Group as she joins us on the second episode of Mortgage Mentors, hosted by Jeremy Duncombe.
From Esther’s humble beginnings in a Dutch village to becoming a global leader in the mortgage industry, this episode will take you through the pivotal milestones in Esther’s career, exploring topics of resilience, adaptability, current market insights and more. Perhaps most interesting is the personal tone of this discussion as Esther uncovers her unique approach to leadership learned over 25 years in the industry. At the core of it all, Esther encourages authenticity, empathy and inclusivity as key pillars for future leaders. A must-listen for the most ambitious amongst us, this is a rare look into what it means to not only manage, but lead teams to excellence.