Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

Mortgage Jobs for Heroes Initiative Expands Opportunities for Service Leavers

A joint initiative between Working in Mortgages and The Brightstar Group is supporting service leavers and veterans to enter the UK mortgage intermediary market. The programme, Mortgage Jobs for Heroes, has marked a new stage of development with the placement of RAF leaver Zoe Catherall at The Brightstar Group.

Catherall will work alongside Lee Payne, national account manager at The Brightstar Group, who previously served as a regimental sergeant major in the Royal Engineers. The initiative aims to highlight the transferable skills of armed forces personnel and create structured entry routes into intermediary roles across the mortgage sector.

Earlier this year, The Brightstar Group and Working in Mortgages attended the National Transition Event at Silverstone, an annual forum for service leavers, veterans, and their families moving into civilian employment. The event attracted over 1,000 attendees and served as a careers and networking opportunity.

Since the event, a database of service leavers and veterans interested in roles within the sector has begun to develop, with Catherall's placement being the latest example. Mortgage Jobs for Heroes is now appealing to organisations across the sector to become ‘host organisations’. This could involve offering short-term work placements, guaranteed interviews, permanent job roles, apprenticeship openings, or support for industry-specific qualifications.

Industry leaders have expressed support for the initiative, noting its role in broadening representation and supporting workforce renewal within the mortgage sector. The programme continues to encourage organisations to participate and help create more accessible pathways for service leavers and veterans.