BMPAN launches new Standard to advance racial equity in the mortgage industry
08 October 2026
Second anniversary event at Lloyds Banking Group celebrates community leaders and introduces the COIL framework
The Black Mortgage Professionals and Allies Network (BMPAN) has launched the BMPAN Standard, a framework designed to help organisations and individuals take practical steps towards a more equitable mortgage industry, particularly for Black professionals and people from minoritised backgrounds who continue to face barriers to progression.
The Standard was launched on 7 October at BMPAN’s second anniversary and Black History Month celebration, hosted by Lloyds Banking Group in London. Under the theme “Raising the Standard: Leadership, Excellence, Community”, the event brought together professionals, industry leaders and allies to celebrate progress, strengthen connections and recognise people making a difference across the sector.
Founded by Atlyn Forde, Aleka Gutzmore and Jeffrey Krampah-Williams, BMPAN has grown into a community of more than 500 mortgage professionals and allies.
A framework for practical action
The BMPAN Standard centres on four principles, brought together through the abbreviation COIL:
Collaboration: Working across organisations, networks and communities to share learning and use collective influence to create progress.
Opportunity: Opening doors and supporting equitable access to development, sponsorship, visibility and career progression.
Inclusion: Creating environments where people feel respected, valued, heard and able to contribute.
Leadership: Using influence to champion racial equity, challenge barriers and support meaningful change.
Organisations and individuals can become Supporters of the Standard, with further opportunities to contribute as Partners or Sponsors, supporting BMPAN’s events, activities and wider community work.
Recognising those raising the standard
A central part of the evening was the recognition of individuals whose contributions demonstrate the value of opening doors, collaborating, supporting communities and leading change.
BMPAN co-founder Atlyn Forde was joined by John Winter, Vice Chair, Corporate and Institutional Banking at Lloyds Banking Group, to announce the recipients and present their awards.
BMPAN recognition recipients
table
The evening featured contributions from Faith Chindanya, Edwin Elder, Rebecca Wilkins, Siobhan Barrett, Samantha Owo, John Winter and Shane Chawatama, bringing together perspectives on leadership, opportunity, inclusion and career progression.
Building community and influence
BMPAN also launched its Ambassador programme, inviting individuals to actively support its mission by championing the network, making connections, spotlighting talent and encouraging others to get involved. Ambassadors can register through the BMPAN website and receive a BMPAN pin to wear as a visible expression of their support.
The network is strengthening its capacity through a newly formed advisory panel and marketing and communications working group. Volunteers will help amplify BMPAN’s voice, showcase the community, grow participation and support its influence across the industry.
BMPAN co-founders Atlyn Forde, Aleka Gutzmore and Jeffrey Krampah-Williams said:
“Recognition matters because so much of the work that changes someone’s career happens quietly. It is the introduction that opens a door, the encouragement that builds confidence, or the person who champions your potential. Those contributions deserve to be seen and celebrated.
“Being in that room and seeing the connections happening reminded us why we started BMPAN. We are building a community that supports people and creates opportunities. Through the BMPAN Standard and our COIL framework, we want to help more organisations turn their commitment to racial equity into practical action.”
BMPAN thanked its venue hosts — Nationwide, HSBC, Barclays, Aviva and Lloyds Banking Group — alongside its sponsors, partners, volunteers and regular attendees for supporting the network’s journey.
Upcoming activities include a Mental Health Roundtable on 30 October 2026, in partnership with the Mental Health in Mortgages Charter and Jason Berry, a mixer planned for late January, and the next full networking event on 17 February 2027, hosted by NatWest.
To download photos of the event, follow this link:
https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1bPLgwRNWviTeuaFIaB3mLbVGdkt4cp-A
