Financial Reporter has announced the return of its 30 Under 30 programme for a second year, continuing its mission to recognise, celebrate and create opportunities for the next generation of talent across the mortgage and financial services industry.
Launched in 2025 in partnership with Working in Mortgages, the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) and the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA), Financial Reporter 30 Under 30 recognises up-and-coming professionals who are already making a meaningful impact across the sector.
Following the success of its inaugural year, the programme returns for 2026 with the same focus on recognising achievement while giving young professionals greater visibility, industry access and opportunities to develop their careers.
Financial Reporter will build on those opportunities for its second cohort, creating further ways for those recognised through the programme to raise their profile, contribute their perspectives and make connections across the industry.
Applications will once again be assessed by a panel of senior industry figures from across lending, broking, fintech, media and marketing, with submissions independently scored against four key pillars: impact, innovation, leadership potential, and contribution to the wider industry or community.
Individuals can apply themselves or be nominated by colleagues, employers and other industry professionals – with applications open from today at https://www.financialreporter.co.uk/30-under-30/.
Working in Mortgages, a collaboration between AMI and IMLA, supports the programme as part of its work to attract, retain and develop talent within the mortgage industry and make the sector a fairer and more accessible place to work and do business.
Andy Shields, director at Barcadia Media, commented:
“Our first 30U30 cohort were an exceptional group who showed the value of supporting rising talent in our industry. They came together at Under 30 Live, joined us at the Financial Reporter Awards, took seats on judging panels and stepped onto stages across our events. Most importantly, they were given opportunities to contribute to the industry now, rather than being told to wait until they were more senior before their voices mattered.”
“That’s what we want to build on in year two. There are brilliant young people already having an impact right across mortgages and financial services, and 30 Under 30 is about finding them, recognising what they’re achieving and then opening more doors for them.”
“We want this to become a genuine platform for the next generation of our industry – one that gives young professionals greater visibility, stronger connections and real opportunities to help shape where the sector goes next.”
