Women outnumber men in broker academy applications for first time

60% of applicants for the latest broker academy were women, which Just Mortgages says is a change from "the overwhelming majority" of applicants which have typically been male.

The brokerage says its new recruitment strategy targeting those outside of the industry by utilising social media and images that show a more inclusive working environment have "struck a chord with women looking to start a new career in financial services". The number of successful female candidates increased by 180% in 2021 and is on course to more than double again by the end of 2022.

Linsey Davies, head of talent acquisition and business support at Just Mortgages, said: “We work hard to create an environment within Just Mortgages where anyone can thrive and success is defined by the quality of the person and nothing else. For some time now the percentage of women applying for academy places has been increasing but this is the first time but we have had more female than male applicants and it is a significant sixty-forty split. Looking back at previous years, just three out of ten applicants would be women which is why this is such a significant change. We are thrilled so many women now see financial services as a great career path and an environment where their potential can be realised.”

John Philips, national operations director at Just Mortgages, added: “We are so proud that we have a proposition and culture where women feel they can fulfil their potential based on their skill and are judged and rewarded only based on the outstanding job they do. Linsey and her team have done a wonderful job in communicating the benefits of a career as a mortgage adviser to women outside of the industry and long may it continue. Five years ago, men made up sixty percent of our brokers but that is now closer to fifty-fifty which is terrific for the company and the whole financial services sector.”