Owen James

As we wrap up the week, we’re reflecting on the thought-provoking discussions from yesterday’s successful Mortgage Meeting of Minds, where sessions delved into: ✅Responding to the changing economic landscape ✅Building financial resilience across all life stages ✅The potential of evolving channels to market ✅The evolution of digital distribution ✅The role of AI in improving customer experience and digital efficiency ✅What is holding the UK mortgage industry back? ✅How much difference can open banking make? ✅Striking a balance between compliance and innovation ✅How much has the Consumer Duty changed the game? A massive thank you to our dedicated roundtable experts and facilitators Chris Flowers, John Chapman, John Lappin, Phil Rance, Brod Whiting, Kathy Ellison, Tony Crane, Mike Harrison and Maria Harris for your support to run these sessions. We sincerely thank our sponsors Royal London, Aviva, Mortgage Brain and Roq - Quality Engineering like no other. Finally, thank you to everyone who has attended the event and we are looking forward to seeing you next year on the 29th of April! To reserve your place please connect with Clare Frost! #InsightfulDiscussions #Roundtables #MortgageMoM2024 #AMeetingOfMinds #OwenJamesEvents #RoyalCollegeofLondon #OwenJamesMoM

One big and impactful part of Mortgage Meeting of Minds Agenda is the MortgageTalk sessions. Presenting the MortgageTalks today were Kay Westgarth Aviva Equity release, Lisa Windley CeMAP CeRER Royal London and Neil Wyatt Mortgage Brain who respectively covered; 🔵 Know Your Client: Navigating the property puzzle 🔵 The Consumer Journey in Retirement: The role of equity release solutions 🔵 Game-Changing Advantages: How digitisation is tackling the complexities for lenders. Once again a big thank you goes out to our sponsors Royal London, Aviva, Mortgage Brain, Roq - Quality Engineering like no other for their support. #MortgageMoM2024 #AMeetingOfMinds #OwenJamesMoM

Today’s structured networking at Mortgage Meeting of Minds provided a great opportunity for our delegates to connect with peers and share insights on their most pressing daily issues. #Networking #MortgageMoM2024 #AMeetingOfMinds #OwenJamesMoM

Today at Mortgage Meeting of Minds, in his impactful keynote, James Kanagasooriam, Chief Research Officer at Focaldata, delved into the causes behind today’s unprecedented volatility, fragmentation, and growing pessimism—while offering reasons for optimism. 📊Fragmentation: Since the UK's 1992 election, voter identity has shifted away from traditional class and income lines. The UK has become a democratic outlier, with heightened volatility in party shifts and marginal seats. 📈Why the Volatility? Historically, freedom and open economies generated wealth, but this connection is now weakening, contributing to market instability. 💡Net Zero & Immigration: These two divisive issues move in opposite directions - when concern for the environment rises, focus on immigration decreases, and vice versa, driving much of today's political divide. 📉Pessimism is on the rise, with the UK ranking lowest in trust in government among OECD countries. Yet, Britain has always cycled through periods of boom and bust, and while we may be in a downturn, there are strong reasons for optimism. The following megatrends are the shifts that can guide us toward a brighter, more stable future: ✔Truth-Telling: Leaders must prioritise facts and doing what's right, rather than swaying to public opinion ✔Rise of Localism: Strengthening local conversations, aided by digital media, can counteract toxic national politics and foster optimism ✔Ending Zero-Sum Thinking: Economic growth is the key to overcoming the harmful belief that someone else's success means your failure. By embracing generosity of spirit, we can create a healthier society and greater personal fulfilment #MortgageMoM2024 #AMeetingOfMinds #OwenJamesEvents #OwenJamesMoM #IndepedentMortgageBrokers #RoyalCollegeofLondon

Happening now at the Royal College of Physicians in London is our second successful Mortgage Meeting of Minds! We were happy to welcome delegate firms from large Independent Mortgage Brokers including; online, mortgage networks and mortgage clubs, as well as, the client facing teams at the banks and building societies - all at board level. Our Managing Director, James Goad, presented the Scene Setter Findings and shared key data insights to kick off the day and set the stage for strategic roundtable discussions. Today’s agenda is covering; Political & Economic Outlook, Client Dynamics, Distribution, Innovation & Disruption and Regulation. Thanks a million to our sponsors Royal London, Aviva, Mortgage Brain and Roq - Quality Engineering like no other for their valuable support. #MortgageMoM2024 #AMeetingOfMinds #OwenJamesEvents #OwenJamesMoM #IndepedentMortgageBrokers #RoyalCollegeofLondon

In the final part of our three-part video series with Paul Miles he highlights the importance of putting the right structure in place, and how, without strong systems and clear accountability, even the best teams can struggle to deliver on their business vision. If you're striving for growth, are you confident your firm has the right processes to drive accountability and success? 👉 Watch "How to Ensure You Have the Right Structure and Accountability" here: https://lnkd.in/gscfXbK3 #OwenJamesEvents #strategy #financialfirms #businessstrategy

Exclusive opportunity for wealth management professionals – join us at WealthTech Matters Switzerland! We are thrilled to invite you to WealthTech Matters Switzerland on Thursday, 7 November at the Sheraton Hotel Zurich from 8:30am to 3:30pm This exciting event will feature an inspiring keynote by Katrin J. Y., CEO of the Swiss Future Institute. Katrin is an award-winning executive, a six-time board member, and Chair of the AI Future Council. Fluent in six languages, she’ll share her deep expertise on AI, future megatrends, and business transformation. Presenting the keynote topic: "Future Trends in the Age of AI – How to Succeed and Sustain", Katrin will focus on: ✔Understanding the key megatrends that will shape the future ✔Simplifying AI for everyday use in finance and beyond ✔Strategies for companies to adapt, innovate, and gain a competitive edge Get ready to explore how AI and future trends will revolutionise the way we work and succeed. As Darwin said, it’s not the strongest that survives, but the one who adapts best to change. Let’s adapt and thrive together! 📩 To receive an invitation, please contact John Hall or register by following the link: https://lnkd.in/eF3HWysy 📅To view the agenda please follow the link: https://lnkd.in/eF3HWysy #WealthTech #AI #FutureOfFinance #WealthManagement #Zurich #Innovation #OwenJamesEvents #BusinessTransformation #Leadership #EventNetworking #SwitzerlandEvents

For our lunchtime keynote last week at A Meeting of Minds Gatekeepers, Christian Howes, independent data consultant, explained how data can be incredibly powerful, but requires the right mindset and approach to unlock its true potential and how the concept of bad data comes down to misinterpretation rather than flawed data itself. Data on its own is inert and it is the context and interpretation that brings it to life. The following, if done wrong, is what will cause the data to turn bad: ✔Implementation: The biggest issue is not getting the process right. Even with the best product or intention, if the data is implemented poorly, the outcome will be flawed ✔Instrumentation: The challenge isn’t just technology—it’s often the siloes within organisations. Departments focus on their piece of the puzzle without seeing the bigger picture. Leadership has become more holistic, but challenges still remain ✔Insight: Bias often blinds us from truly discovering what the data is saying. Many projects fail because people seek confirmation of what they already know rather than exploring what they don’t know Key takeaways: 🔵Start small with your data projects 🔵Ask the right questions 🔵Encourage experimentation and diversity of thought Remember, technology alone isn’t the answer - it must work alongside human insight for real success #DataStrategy #DataInsights #Leadership #DataScience #ChristianHowes #Innovation

For the final session from last week's A Meeting of Minds Gatekeepers, City Hive's Bhavini ‘Bev’ Shah led a deep dive into how asset managers are driving cultural transformation and how initiatives like the ACT framework are enabling asset managers to stand out by building trust, demonstrating transparency, and driving positive change. The conversation featured insights from Alex Matcham, M&G Investments; Jake Moeller, Square Mile Investment Consulting & Research Limited and Simon Evan-Cook on how culture and brand have become increasingly intertwined in investment decision-making and provided the following key takeaways: ✔ Evolving Investor Priorities: Asset managers are seeing greater demand for transparency in DEI and ESG standards. The societal push for authenticity and responsibility is reshaping risk management and decision-making processes ✔Cultural Accountability: Through frameworks like ACT, firms can show they’re committed to positive change, ensuring their culture supports both performance and integrity. This helps mitigate reputational risks that can arise from poor corporate behaviour ✔Smaller Firms & The Value of Culture: Boutique firms are now under greater scrutiny. ACT provides a platform for them to demonstrate their distinct values and hold themselves accountable, leveling the playing field ✔The Role of Human Insight: Beyond financial data, understanding a firm’s culture is essential to making informed decisions. The subjective, human component is increasingly valued as part of the art and science of fund selection ✔Avoiding Greenwashing: Genuine culture change is about more than ticking boxes. Asset managers are urged to go beyond marketing and demonstrate meaningful, lasting impact #MoMGatekeepers2024 #OwenJamesMoM #AMeetingofMinds #OwenJamesEvents #TheBerkeleyHotel

Here is some wonderful feedback from our Retirement Matters event last month! #FeedbackFriday #RetirementMatters #ExcellentEvents