The 2025 Financial Reporter 30 Under 30 list is here.
Meet the 30 rising stars shaping the future of our industry below.

With a passion for people and progress, Alex Groves is shaping the future of leadership learning at OSB Group. Her approach blends empathy and strategy to redefine how organisations support and develop their talent.

From a local building society customer assistant to Corporate Account Manager at Shawbrook, Alice Baggott has turned curiosity and tenacity into a fast-rising career. She’s proof that success in financial services doesn’t demand a degree - just determination, empathy, and a constant drive to make things better for brokers and customers alike.

Ambitious, analytical, and unflappable under pressure, Andrew Bate has carved out a remarkable career at Hope Capital, rising from Loan Administrator to Senior Underwriter in just three years. Known for his precision, speed, and leadership, Andrew is helping redefine what exceptional underwriting looks like in the specialist lending sector.

Billie Cox chose learning by doing over lectures - and has gone on to reshape specialist finance from the inside. From a summer intern to the first Brightstar Group team member to jump straight from sales support into a Sirius broker role, she turns complex cases into confident client outcomes.

At just 22, Daisy Richards has become one of PRIMIS Mortgage Network’s brightest rising stars. With drive, empathy, and a natural talent for leadership, she’s inspiring firms across the UK to embrace new ideas, empower young professionals, and modernise how the industry communicates.

Chartered Financial Planner championing clearer advice for medical professionals—building partnerships, training advisers on NHS pensions, and delivering education from lecture halls to boardrooms.

Driven, personable, and endlessly proactive, Ellen Close has quickly established herself as one of the rising stars of the mortgage industry. Now a Telephone BDM at Metro Bank, she combines deep technical knowledge with a passion for service and education, earning her recognition as the 2025 Rising Star at the British Specialist Lending Awards.

Analytical, empathetic, and driven by impact, Ellie France represents the next generation of mortgage innovation at Barclays. From launching greener mortgage initiatives to simplifying complex terms for millions of customers, her work blends data, strategy, and purpose - all focused on making homeownership more accessible and financial services more inclusive.

From overcoming serious illness to becoming one of the UK’s youngest Chartered financial planners in progress, Emily Newman’s story is one of resilience and reinvention, redefining what modern advice looks like.

Francesca Gale’s journey from aspiring vet to award-worthy financial adviser shows how purpose can evolve into passion. She’s built a thriving advice career that makes finance feel friendly, accessible, and human - inspiring a new generation to see the value of financial planning.

Self-taught design leader transforming customer journeys at Yorkshire Building Society: scaling UX to improve customer experience, founding User Research, and turning Consumer Duty into a catalyst for clearer, fairer member outcomes.

A natural problem-solver and educator, George Sanford has combined two passions - financial strategy and knowledge-sharing - to make a lasting impact on both clients and brokers. As a Specialist Mortgage Adviser at VIBE Finance and Co-Founder of The Specialist Finance Academy (SFA), George is helping reshape how the industry understands, teaches, and delivers specialist property finance.

At just 17, Hannie Mason stumbled into mortgages - and turned that “happy accident” into a thriving business. Now the founder of Mortgages with Hannie & Co, she’s redefining leadership in financial services through authenticity, mentorship, and fearless ambition.

From client support calls to national sales leadership, Harrison Banner’s rise through the mortgage tech world has been rapid and transformative. Combining technical knowledge with a people-first mindset, he’s redefining how sales, service, and innovation come together in the UK’s mortgage technology space.

Ambitious, adaptable, and deeply invested in the future of property finance, Harrison Barker-Smith has already made his mark as a Relationship Director at Pivot Finance. Known for his end-to-end deal expertise and collaborative leadership style, Harrison combines technical precision with a strong belief in transparency and client-first communication.

At just 21, Jake Crossley is already one of the youngest regulated financial advisers in the UK - and he’s using that platform to challenge convention, expand access to advice, and inspire the next generation of planners.

Resilient, grounded, and quietly determined, Jemima Hayes has risen through the ranks at Market Financial Solutions to become Head of Bridging - a journey defined by adaptability and perseverance, from losing her first job in finance at 22 to now leading her own team.

Jess Schofield's trajectory from pub team leader to a rising HR star at Mortgage Advice Bureau has proven that talent and tenacity can outshine traditional career paths. With an instinct for innovation and a genuine passion for people, she’s already shaping the future of workplace culture in financial services.

From architecture to financial technology, Jodie Andrews has built a career defined by transformation. She’s reimagined how marketing, sales and partnerships can work together - leading with creativity and a passion for bringing new talent into financial services.

From aspiring actor to financial educator, Joel Bailey-Wilson has built a career around confidence, compassion, and community: as founder of Meta Mortgages, he’s redefining what it means to be a mortgage broker.

Creative and passionate about inclusion, Kirtana Mahendran is helping redefine how financial services communicates. As a Senior Marketing Executive at Hampshire Trust Bank, she is using marketing as a tool to connect people, celebrate diversity, and drive meaningful change across the specialist lending community.

Creative events and marketing specialist powering PRIMIS/TMA engagement - doubling conference registrations, launching content hubs, and championing women’s voices in financial services.

Creative, driven, and quietly confident, Maddie Gray has risen from entry-level assistant to Senior Campaign Manager at Skipton Building Society, where she’s redefining how lenders engage with brokers. Her campaigns are known for their clarity and impact, reflecting Skipton’s commitment to making homeownership more accessible.

From pulling pints to product innovation, Megan Sankey’s story is one of grit, growth and transformation. Now a driving force at Together Money, she’s proof that financial services thrives when it welcomes real people with real-world experience.

Ripley Salgueiro’s journey from first-time buyer to founder of a thriving brokerage is a story of resilience, innovation, and heart. Through his firm, First Time Finance, he’s helping clients achieve their property dreams while bringing an 'outside the box' approach to the industry.

Romany Youell is changing the face of financial advice. From leaving college at 16 to becoming the UK’s youngest qualified financial adviser, she’s built a business that’s redefining what it means to lead with authenticity.

Resilient, self-made, and dedicated to progress, Samuel Burr embodies what persistence and purpose can achieve. From leaving school with only a few GCSEs to ranking among the top 10 advisers at L&C Mortgages, his journey is one of determination, self-improvement, and the belief that failure is simply a step towards success.

Fearless, ambitious, and unafraid to challenge norms, Simmy Kaur has carved out her place as one of the most dynamic young leaders in buy-to-let. Now Director of Buy to Let Mortgages at Lendlord Finance, she’s helping reshape the landlord finance landscape while using her platform to educate, empower, and inspire a new generation of property professionals.

From criminology to code, Sophie Ainsworth has carved a unique path into financial services - transforming how the mortgage industry measures and improves customer experience. Through AI, automation, and analytical precision, she’s helping lenders and brokers see what their customers really think.

Driven and ambitious, Tom Brook has carved his path from the Yorkshire Building Society counter to becoming a key player at Accord Mortgages. Known for his practical problem-solving and people-first approach, Tom is helping redefine how lenders support brokers.