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.

Offa’s Malik Highlights Importance of Diversity in UK Home Finance

Sagheer Malik, group chief commercial officer and managing director of home finance at Offa, has emphasised the value of diversity in the UK property sector. Malik’s comments were featured in a Mortgage Solutions article marking South Asian Heritage Month.

Malik, who is of Kashmiri-Pakistani heritage and was born in Birmingham, described how his upbringing instilled values such as hard work, education, respect for others, and a strong sense of community. He noted that these values are common in immigrant families and have influenced his professional approach.

Offa recently conducted research indicating that eight in ten British Muslims feel their home finance choices are restricted due to their faith. The survey identified lengthy decision-making processes, excessive paperwork, and poor customer service as the main challenges faced by this group. Malik stated that Offa aims to serve individuals who have historically had to choose between their faith and financial goals.

Malik also highlighted that more than half of Offa’s staff are from ethnic minority backgrounds, with the majority being South Asian. He explained that celebrating ethnic heritage in the workplace has professional, creative, and personal benefits, allowing people to perform at their best when they can be themselves at work.

He argued that diversity in the financial services sector has improved, but greater representation is still needed to help people see the industry as accessible. Malik noted that many Muslim customers continue to feel under-served by mainstream finance providers and seek products that align with their beliefs. He also pointed out that the way many South Asian and Muslim families pool resources across generations does not always fit conventional finance criteria.

Malik referenced Offa’s branding, which reflects the historical links between Britain and the Islamic world, including the story of King Offa minting a gold coin with an Arabic inscription to facilitate trade.

For UK letting agents and inventory clerks, these insights underline the importance of understanding the diverse backgrounds and needs of clients in the property sector.