Ray Boulger is senior technical manger at Charcol
“I see the board striving to keep brokers informed on developments as ‘Mortgage Day’ approaches. Moving forward we will be strengthening our relations with the FSA, to lobby for our members’ interests. Training and competence will also become an increasingly important area for AMI.
“I suppose being well known in the media helped in me getting elected, though this was not the key factor.
“The biggest single issue facing brokers will be lender service, though the question of who will guarantee KFI’s will also become very important.”
Bill Warren is compliance and network director at Complete Mortgage and Loan Services Ltd
“I want to focus on helping small and medium-sized firms get the practical and technical help they need to deal with the new regulatory regime.
“I like to think I was elected because of the breadth of experience I have gained in my various roles over the years.
“The coming year will see pressure on the incomes of intermediary firms. Firstly in the form of procuration fees, but also because of the time that will have to be given over to regulatory activities.”
Paul Fielding is principal at Cambria Financial
“I have hung my hat firmly on the peg of ensuring that brokers are properly paid. We will be one of the most regulated industries in the world, and I think our pay should reflect that.
“Intermediaries voted for me because I said I wanted to ensure that brokers are paid for running professional outfits.
“This next year will see the turning point of public confidence in mortgage brokers as the last of the cowboys are cleared out by regulation.”
Stephen Atkins is group compliance director at Freedom Finance
“I see my role continuing in a similar fashion to last year, helping to educated brokers while also putting their case to the FSA. Also helping the regulator to have sympathy for market conditions brokers operate in. The board as a whole will continue its learning process.
“I hope I was re-elected because intermediaries recognised the contributions the previous board made to establish AMI. I think it is a pity that some of the people who worked so hard on the previous board won’t be around to help us through the next crucial twelve months.
“One issue that has largely been ignored, but will assume huge importance over the next twelve months, is general insurance. Many firms have been so preoccupied with mortgage regulation that they have forgotten they also need to be regulated to do insurance business.”
Simon Conn is senior partner at Conti Financial Services
“I have gained a lot of experience in dealing with the overseas market, and I am particularly keen to ensure that brokers give clients the correct advice in this area. Having been in the industry for a number of years I also hope to help brokers with issues that arise during regulation.
“I think members voted for me because I stood as an independent voice.
“The biggest changes that will affect broker firms will be movements in the markets. While I am interested in the growth of overseas markets I believe we will see other markets, like equity release, come to the fore. However both of these have serious potential pit falls for intermediaries.”
Rob Clifford is managing director of Mortgageforce
“It is crucial that brokers have a unified voice, not only in the run up to regulation but also to lobby the FSA after October. I want to represent the interests of the small and medium-sized brokers.
“Having been on the board at the MCCB, where I represented the interests of brokers, I think this can be seen as a continuation of my previous role.
“The next year will bring more costs and compliance issues for brokers. I think we will also see tighter controls from lenders over procuration fees.”
