BMPAN calls on FS industry to unite to foster young talent

18 March 2026

The Black Mortgage Professionals and Allies Network (BMPAN) has called on the financial services industry to work together to create stronger early-career pathways for under-represented young people following an Early Career Pathways and Apprenticeships Roundtable hosted in Canary Wharf.

A central focus of the discussion was how the industry can better reach talented young people from under-represented backgrounds who may not traditionally see financial services as an accessible or achievable career path.

BMPAN will act as a facilitator, helping employers, training providers and community organisations collaborate more effectively to widen access to the sector.

A focus on lived experience

Hosted by BMPAN Co-Founders Atlyn Forde and Aleka Gutzmore, the afternoon opened with testimonies from young people who have finished or are currently progressing through apprenticeships and early career roles. Their varied accounts grounded the discussion in real experience and reinforced the need for clear pathways and sustained support.

Tracy Jordan, COO and Board Member at Vantage Point Global, outlined its role as a bridge between business and youth, as it recruits, mentors and trains young unemployed people into financial services roles. Working in partnership with employers, the company trains and mentors candidates through the early months of a job, helping to strengthen retention and long-term professional success.

Paul Allen from Simply Academy, a financial services training provider, set out the range of training provision available to businesses. With previous employer partnerships including Sesame Bankhall Group and London & Country, Simply Academy demonstrated how structured training programmes can be delivered to create clear entry points into the industry.

Clear objectives and tangible outcomes

The open discussion that followed revealed a series of key themes, including:

The need for structured, visible pathways into mortgage and financial services
The critical role of line managers in retention and progression
The importance of widening access beyond traditional networks
The commercial and sustainability case for investing in early talent

Participants agreed that stronger collaboration between employers, apprenticeship providers and early career specialists is essential if the sector is to build a resilient and diverse talent pipeline.

Next steps for BMPAN

BMPAN has committed to leading the next phase of work, including building a practical framework to strengthen industry connections, track engagement and support measurable progress.

Planned actions include:

Convening follow-up discussions with organisations ready to introduce or expand apprenticeship and internship programmes
Connecting employers with trusted training and apprenticeship partners
Encouraging cross-industry collaboration and shared learning
Identifying measurable actions and monitoring progress

Event attendee, Rob Gill, Managing Director at Altura Mortgage Finance, said:

“It’s long been a concern of mine that it’s hard to train new entrants to a working industry without a busy office, full of experienced people for them to interact with and learn from. It was, therefore, a real eye-opener to hear from professionals and young people how training and even apprenticeships can be conducted online. Yes, it’s a challenge, but this is how it is now. It's perfectly possible, so we can get on with it. That is a learning I’ll be taking back, not just to Altura, but also to our AR partners.”

Kate Davies, Executive Director of IMLA, said:

“BMPAN’s recent roundtable provided a great opportunity for some young talent to showcase their ability, enthusiasm and passion. Their energy was infectious, and I’m sure that everyone listening came away feeling uplifted by the accounts of great work being done to nurture and develop their progress.

“So much depends on the personal commitment and generosity displayed by those who mentor and encourage the young apprentices, so a big shout must go out to them as well as to the youngsters themselves, all of whom deserve to thrive and succeed.”

Nicola Goldie, Head of Strategic Partnerships & Growth at Aldermore and Deputy Chair at IMLA, said:

“The energy and openness in the room this afternoon made it clear that early career support must now move from good intentions to co-ordinated action. What came through strongly was the shared desire for a more joined-up industry approach - clearer pathways, better visibility for young people, and tangible frameworks that support progression.

“As a sector, we have an opportunity to shape something meaningful here. I’m committed to taking these learnings back into Working in Mortgages, IMLA and our wider networks so we can build practical solutions that strengthen our talent pipelines and widen access across financial services.”

Atlyn Forde, Co-Founder of BMPAN, said:

“One of the strongest messages from the roundtable was that there is incredible potential among young people who simply need clearer pathways and access into the industry. Many talented young people from under-represented backgrounds do not grow up seeing financial services as a career option, not because they lack ambition or ability, but because they lack visibility of the opportunities available.

Through BMPAN we are committed to changing that. By bringing employers, training providers and young people into the same conversation, we can help build practical pathways that enable the next generation of talent to enter, progress and thrive in financial services.”

BMPAN Co-Founder, Aleka Gutzmore, said:

“The response to the Early Career Pathways Roundtable was incredibly encouraging. I’m proud that BMPAN is at the forefront of this conversation, bringing together employers, training providers and young people to move from intent to action and strengthen access to financial services for the next generation.”

Young attendees to the BMPAN event from entrepreneurial association, KURA, Youth with ambition, shared their thoughts:

Year 13 student Carean M, said:

“A job in finance definitely has more appeal to me after attending the BMPAN event, learning how it plays a pivotal role in day-to-day life and understanding how life really is working in finance from people who have done apprenticeships and become successful from it and the opportunities that pursuing this career gives.”

Vheneka C, a year 12 student, said:

“Speaking with people from different areas highlighted how varied and impactful the industry is, especially within fields like risk and fraud. It helped me see finance as a space where I could keep learning, solve problems, and make a meaningful contribution.”

BMPAN is inviting employers, training providers and industry bodies to take part in the next stage of this work.

Organisations interested in exploring apprenticeship or internship pathways, hosting work experience placements or partnering with training providers are encouraged to get in touch with BMPAN Co-Founders Atyln Forde, Aleka Gutzmore and Jeffrey Krampah-Williams.

Contact the BMPAN team via bmpanonline@gmail.com