Accord Mortgages has joined the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC), focusing on mental wellbeing in the mortgage sector.
- The Charter is designed to create an open and compassionate culture towards mental health challenges faced by industry professionals.
- Accord Mortgages is now part of a group of firms committed to best-practice guidelines for health and wellbeing.
- Senior manager Nicola Alvarez highlights the company’s commitment to mental wellbeing as part of its business strategy.
- The MIMHC co-founder calls for systemic change and cooperation across the mortgage industry to support mental health.
Accord Mortgages has taken a significant step by becoming the latest signatory of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC). This is an initiative established to promote awareness of the mental health issues that professionals in the mortgage sector navigate. It aims to foster an environment characterized by transparency and support, encouraging firms to adopt practices that prioritise mental wellbeing.
As a signatory, Accord Mortgages now aligns with several other organisations dedicated to this cause, adhering to six governing rules that encapsulate guidelines for health and wellbeing. Nicola Alvarez, who serves as senior manager of proposition development, emphasised the importance of integrating employee wellbeing into the business framework, especially within high-pressure environments. “Employee wellbeing is an essential part of any thriving business, especially in high-pressure industries like ours.“
Nicola Alvarez further commented on the challenges within the mortgage profession, which includes managing tight deadlines, engaging in customer-facing roles, and handling sensitive financial matters. She pointed out that it’s vital for organisations to consider the mental health of their employees, both within the company and the broader industry. “This is at the heart of our own organisation with a number of mental wellbeing initiatives and support programmes for colleagues already in place.“
By joining MIMHC’s ranks, Accord Mortgages reinforces its commitment, demonstrated through initiatives like the Inclusion and Diversity Charter and the Accord Growth Series. These programmes offer mental health resources to brokers, underscoring the firm’s dedication to supporting its workforce.
Jason Berry, a co-founder of MIMHC and group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance, acknowledged Accord Mortgages’ decision to sign the Charter. He described it as a clear message prioritising mental health within the firm and across the mortgage industry. Berry highlighted the Charter’s role in advocating for a compassionate cultural shift in the sector.
Berry also referenced the findings from the Charter’s recent annual survey, which underscored the need for broader industry cooperation to ensure effective support systems for mental wellbeing. He reiterated the Charter’s mission to create an environment that supports everyone involved, expressing his enthusiasm for collaborating with Accord Mortgages.
Accord Mortgages’ inclusion in the MIMHC exemplifies a growing commitment to mental health within the mortgage industry.
