Speaker at The Scottish Mortgage Summit & Awards wants to attract new investment
The strengths and stability of Scotland’s mortgage market must be highlighted to revise businesses’ impressions of the sector north of the border, and to encourage greater investment in it.
That’s according to Jonathan Evans (pictured), national account lead & new build lead for Skipton Building Society, who is a speaker at next week’s Scottish Mortgage Summit & Awards.
Sponsored by Mortgage Introducer and parent company KM Business Information, the event will be held on Thursday May 30 at the prestigious Sheraton Grand Hotel in Edinburgh, showcasing the best of Scotland’s mortgage industry.
“The Scottish economy has different characteristics compared to other regions of the UK,” said Evans. “It’s important to showcase the strengths and stability of the Scottish market to attract more investment and change perceptions of some businesses that are not active in Scotland, as well as attract and retain talent. It would also bring attention to the sector to help influence policy decisions in broader UK politics.”
What are the key challenges facing the Scottish mortgage industry?
Evans, who has been with Skipton for over nine years and previously worked for names such as Santander and Lloyds Banking Group, said the key challenges facing Scotland’s mortgage industry are economic, including the cost-of-living crisis, higher interest rates, housing supply issues, environmental policies and deposit and affordability constraints.
“Focusing more on what we can influence, I think it’s important that we foster innovation within the industry to help address some of these challenges head on,” Evans suggested. “For example more lender innovation for first-time buyers, and government incentives to help stimulate the property sector.”
A daytime summit on the day of the awards in Edinburgh provides a chance to strengthen professional ties, with a schedule of fascinating discussions to debate the pressing issues facing the industry today – and registration for the summit is free.
Evans will contribute to a discussion debating the vibrancy of the Scottish mortgage industry. Other talking points are navigating the later life landscape, strategies for future success, and how to get ahead with marketing.
Read more: Atom Bank hires new BDM for Scotland and Northern Ireland
Who’s speaking at The Scottish Mortgage Summit & Awards?
The speakers will include Robert Sinclair, chief executive of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, James Rice, managing director at broker firm The Mortgage Finance Store, and Alistair Ewing, managing director of The Lending Channel.
Joining the line up too are broker Helen MacKenzie, from MacKenzie Mortgages, Kieran Mullen, key account manager at Canada Life UK, plus Hannah Walker, national sales manager at LV=GI for Intermediaries, and Jeff Knight, director of Grey Matter Marketing Solutions.
“I’m looking forward to the insights and information that will be shared on the day,” Evans shared, emphasising the importance of Scotland’s mortgage industry and its crucial role in the nation’s economy and in the lives of the customers it serves.
“Mortgages enable individuals and families to purchase homes and support wealth building,” he declared. “The industry also employs a wide range of professionals so a vibrant market is important. The general work within the Scottish market is held in high regard throughout the UK.”
The summit will focus minds on achieving success in the Scottish mortgage sector, and at the glittering evening awards ceremony, that success will be personified by the winners of more than 20 award categories, including coveted titles such as Best Overall Broker in Scotland, Broker of the Year (Regional), BDM of the Year, Protection Provider of the Year, Later Life Lender of the Year and New Brokerage of the Year. The winner of the coveted Lifetime Achievement Award will also be announced.
Summing up the spirit of the day beautifully, Evans said: “I’m looking forward to networking, meeting existing contacts and making new ones.”
To find out more about the Scottish Mortgage Summit & Awards go to: Mortgage Introducer | Scottish Mortgage Summit
