"A generation ready to make an impact": Our 30 Under 30 2026 alumni's take on today’s financial services industry

Mentorship & guidance 

Many say that, with so many pressures on early-career professionals, access to mentorship is vital, although Mahendran points out that the fast pace of financial services can leave little room for such support systems.

She adds: “The lack of time for mentoring can heighten isolation and imposter syndrome, something most professionals experience at some point.”

For Alice Baggott, corporate account manager at Shawbrook, mentorship provided some much-needed clarity at a time when everything felt overwhelming.   

“When you are new to the industry and eager to progress, it can feel overwhelming to know what to focus on, how to develop, or even how to make time for your own growth. Creating clearer pathways to mentorship could make a huge difference in empowering young people and making them feel more confident in their progression.”

These experiences reflect wider trends across the UK financial services workforce. In 2024, the Financial Services Skills Commission (FSSC) found that young professionals are three times more likely than older colleagues to seek out structured mentoring and peer communities as they navigate early career stages. This is especially the case among mortgage advisers, underwriters, and lending specialists, where confidence and competence grow fastest through exposure to real cases and decision-making discussions.

This research strengthens the case for formal mentorship pathways in sectors where complexity and regulatory pressure can accelerate imposter syndrome among those in their first three to five years.

At the same time, insights from the 2024 CIPD Flexible and Hybrid Working Practices report show that while hybrid working is widely valued for its flexibility, as younger employees in financial settings consistently cite reduced access to informal learning and real-time support as a barrier to progression.

Financial Reporter’s 30 Under 30 initiative is partnered with Working in Mortgages, which provides mentoring across the sector. Now with over 300 mentors and mentees, Working in Mortgages aims to improve diversity and inclusivity in the industry while developing an individual’s skills and knowledge. You can find out more here.  

For many under-30s in the mortgage market, these structured support networks - combined with access to in-person learning opportunities – are a space in which they can gain vital connections, clearer progression routes, and the confidence to thrive in today’s industry.