The event had a strong focus on regulation, to help mortgage advisers prepare for the FSA-regulated industry, from October next year. The FSA provided speakers for the seminars, as well as an advice centre, staffed by FSA specialists offering one-to-one guidance. The Zurich Mortgage Network also ran its own seminar programme, offering its views on the prospects for the restructured market.
The show was supported by the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML), the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) and the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI), sponsored by Zurich and attended by the FSA.
Michael Coogan, director general CML said: “This show demonstrated why the UK mortgage industry is the most innovative, competitive, and the most envied in Europe. Lenders and intermediaries are working together to deliver the dream of home ownership to UK consumers in ever increasing numbers.”
Chris Cummings, director AMI, said: “The show has provided the best opportunity so far for intermediaries in the industry to hear clear, unbiased information at first hand, both from their trade body and the regulator. Our members were encouraged by the FSA’s willingness to address industry concerns. The overall impression has been one of reassurance – life goes on after regulation!”
Independent Mortgage Broker, David Cevison, said: "I attended the show on Tuesday and have to say - what an impressive event! Really novel and inventive productions from so many exhibitors, yet packed with so much relevant information from such a broad spread of the marketplace. This is a decisive moment for Mortgage Brokers such as myself, and I found the accessibility of regulatory bodies to be of genuine help."
Julia Jepps, Commercial and Corporate Events Manager, CML said: “The seminars were extremely well supported with high interest in all subjects due to our very strong line-up of expert speakers. In particular, the sessions on regulation generated strong debate. It is encouraging to see how many visitors incorporated attendance at a seminar session, whilst at the show.”
Richard Coulson, Zurich Mortgage Network Director said: “The number of people attending seminars was clear evidence that visitors came here looking for information and guidance, as well as the opportunity to chat with other businesses and to do some worthwhile networking.”
Matthew Bright, Managing Director Optoma, said: “The show created the best environment for exhibitors and mortgage introducers alike to discuss business issues influencing the industry over the next 12 months. We found that visitors were on a fact finding mission looking for solutions and this was the best place to find them.”
Jon Round, Head of Mortgage Development, Norwich Union Mortgage Club, said: “Clearly this is an excellent event. We’ve enjoyed meeting up with many existing members and also made a number of new contacts. Putting on an exhibition of this size so well demonstrates that this industry is in good shape.”
Richard May, Intermediary Sales Controller of Chelsea Building Society, said: “We were delighted to have received a steady stream of visitors to our stand, it’s the busiest show we’ve ever exhibited at and in just one morning we registered over 300 new users for the Chelsea Intermediary website.”
Paul Griffin, Director Smart-Move Mortgages, said: “We are smaller scale which is exactly why it is imperative we are at a show like this. Visitors come to us and ask what we offer. The show was the perfect launch pad for our new sourcing product ‘The Adverse Solution’. We’ve had a fantastic response from genuinely interested intermediaries.”
Following the success of the Mortgage Business Expo in London, the show’s organisers, Clarion Events, recently announced an additional show to take place at the GMEX exhibition centre in Manchester, on the 19 and 20 May 2004, aimed at Northern based mortgage brokers and IFAs.
Show Director Andy White said: “We are thrilled with the feedback from visitors this year but are not complacent. We believe we can make many improvements to this event and look forward to staging an even better exhibition in 2004.’’
