Mortgage leaders warn industry risks ‘EDI fatigue’ without continued focus

Three senior figures from across the mortgage industry have called on colleagues throughout the sector to participate in Working in Mortgages’ 2026 Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) Viewpoint research, warning that progress risks slowing if people assume the conversation no longer concerns them.

Ben Thompson, director of home moving strategy at Mortgage Advice Bureau, said one of the clearest lessons from his career in the industry was that talent and leadership potential “are never confined to one background, gender or ethnicity”.

Thompson said: “I think the mortgage industry understands far better today that ED&I is not just a cultural initiative, it’s a business imperative. There’s much greater appreciation that diverse teams lead to better decision-making, stronger customer understanding and ultimately better outcomes for both clients and businesses.”

He also urged those who feel detached from ED&I discussions not to dismiss the issues. “I’d say diversity and inclusion is about all of us, because every one of us benefits from working in an environment where people feel respected, valued and able to contribute fully,” he said.

Kevin Roberts, managing director, mortgage services at Legal & General, said the original 2021 ED&I Viewpoint research had significantly changed his own understanding of experiences across the sector.

“Before I saw the results of the last survey, I simply wasn’t aware of some of the experiences many people in our industry were dealing with because they weren’t happening to me,” he said. “The research opened my eyes to behaviours many colleagues had faced that I had simply never seen or understood.”

Roberts added: “I’d encourage everyone across the sector to take part, even if you don’t immediately think these conversations apply to you. The more people who take part, the more meaningful and useful the findings will be.”

Andrew Montlake, chief executive officer of Coreco Mortgage Brokers and chair of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, warned the industry could risk losing momentum if focus on ED&I weakened.