Liz Syms aims to boost Society of Mortgage Professionals' profile and broker support
Newly appointed chair of the Society of Mortgage Professionals, Liz Syms, is setting ambitious goals to elevate the organisation's visibility and enhance its influence within the mortgage market. In her first months in this leadership role, Syms, who is also the chief executive of Connect Mortgages, has articulated a clear vision centred on raising awareness of the society amongst both brokers and consumers. This initiative is crucial, she believes, to foster a deeper understanding of the society's mission and the benefits it offers.
Speaking to industry experts, Syms emphasised the need for the society to clearly communicate its objectives, which extend far beyond simply being perceived as a means to gain qualifications or as another trade body. “The main objectives of the society are to continue to promote professional standards in the mortgage industry for the benefit of the consumer,” she stated. According to Syms, it is vital for the organisation to be seen as a community focused on ongoing professional development rather than merely a credentialing body.
Under Syms’ leadership, there is a renewed focus on providing members with tailored pathways for career advancement. This involves detailed roadmaps that outline various roles within the mortgage profession and the requisite steps to progress in each. Such support is particularly beneficial for directly authorised brokerages, which may lack the extensive networks that offer similar resources. As Syms noted, "Once a member, mortgage brokers can benefit from support with their career progression," thereby enhancing their capacity to provide high-quality service to consumers.
Collaboration within the industry is another pillar of Syms's approach. She aims to forge stronger partnerships with other professional bodies, including the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) and the Financial Intermediary and Broker Association, in a bid to create a unified voice for the mortgage profession. “There’s no point us all doing… the same thing; it’s about collaborating to make sure everybody gets the benefit,” she remarked. This spirit of cooperation is essential not only for the advancement of the members but also for engaging effectively with regulatory bodies such as the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).
Looking forward, Syms has outlined plans for an upcoming meeting with the FCA, where the society will represent the needs and concerns of its members. This initiative underscores her commitment to ensuring that feedback from mortgage professionals is heard at the regulatory level. “The end result for providing this support for professionals is for consumer benefit and consumer trust,” she explained, highlighting the distinct role of the society compared to traditional trade associations that primarily prioritise advisors’ business interests.
Liz Syms' ascension to the chair role follows her tenure as vice-chair, during which she contributed to a strategic relaunch of the Society of Mortgage Professionals in December 2019. This relaunch aimed explicitly at reinforcing professional standards within the sector by promoting a code of ethics and providing resources for ongoing education and support. As the society embarks on this new chapter, Syms' leadership promises to catalyse significant change, championing both the professionalism of the mortgage community and the interests of consumers in an ever-evolving industry landscape.
With the growing need for integrity and professionalism in financial services, Syms' role is both critical and timely. Her commitment to enhancing the society’s profile and fostering collaboration signals a robust direction that aims to strengthen the mortgage profession as a whole, benefiting brokers and consumers alike.