Ben
Harding

Bringing broker behaviour into focus
Ben's story so far...

Ben Harding grew up without professional role models and didn't leave university with a fixed career plan. He was also a young carer, which made it difficult to give graduate schemes the time many of his peers could. A job as a small business's sole marketing manager gave him a different way to get started.

He learned quickly, then joined Barclays Investment Bank, spending two years on data and analytics projects. An internal move into Mortgage Intermediaries in 2024 brought those skills together with his interest in communication and relationships. Within two years, he had progressed to head of marketing and engagement strategy, leading a team of four.

Ben spends time understanding how brokers use the lender's communications and where they need something different. That work informed the relaunch of the Barclays Intermediaries website. Website visits rose by 18.1% in 2026, alongside 29% growth in podcast downloads and a 122% increase in webinar attendance.

As a manager, he has recruited and onboarded three colleagues. He has also helped host an event for the Black Mortgage Professionals and Allies Network, supported LGBTQ+ networks and contributed to a skills day for young people. His own start continues to shape what he wants next: a senior role in mortgages, and more chances for people who may never have pictured themselves working in the industry.