Blog

Putting 'Pen to Paper'

Bob Hunt

Bob Hunt

11 March 2022
It has taken me a while to put metaphorical ‘pen to paper’ on this month’s blog as I’ve grappled with what may, or may not be, appropriate to write given what is going on in the world right now.

This is a publication aimed at mortgage advisers after all, and there is a temptation to stick to one’s knitting, so to speak, and focus on industry matters rather than looking at much wider issues.

After all, it’s not like you will be short of information or viewpoints on the devastating events taking place in Ukraine right now.

Our 24-hour news cycle and social media access brings home in horrifying detail what is taking place and I suspect, like me, there will be plenty among us who might currently be struggling to keep a focus on the day job when we’re all acutely aware of what the people of Ukraine are going through right now and the potential wider ramifications.

So, what to do? Well, in my view, it’s more important than ever to recognise what is going on beyond our own borders, both nationally and from a work point of view.

This industry has always been incredibly adept at acknowledging we – for the most part – are in a fortunate position and, as a result, we are able to support those who have not been as blessed.

There is not a day in the year when various individuals and firms within the mortgage market aren’t involved in all kinds of charity initiatives and drives in order to raise money for all manner of causes and needs.

And, while I know full well, that many of you reading this will already have donated or done something else to help those stuck in the situation in Ukraine, or those who have left or are trying to leave, I also think it’s important that we within the industry offer a route to do the same.

To that end, we want to support the recently-launched appeal by the British Red Cross to help its Ukrainian counterpart provide food, medicine, clothing and shelter, as well as first-aid training in bomb shelters.

It seems incredible to be even writing this but that is the harsh reality of what is currently going on. The Ukrainian Red Cross volunteers are reaching as many people as possible, distributing 30,000 food and hygiene parcels so far, and helping evacuate people with disabilities. It has also provided food, warm clothing and other aid to around 8,000 people sheltering in metro stations.

We might have hoped that this type of need and activity within Europe was something to be consigned to history but that’s clearly not the case, and I’m firmly of the opinion that we, within the mortgage industry, can do our bit – in whatever small way possible – to help alleviate some of the terrible suffering and pain that is being inflicted on Ukraine and its people right now.

So, at Paradigm we’ve launched our own Just Giving page for The Ukraine Crisis Appeal here. All donations will be matched by our parent company, Tatton Asset Management, and will go directly to the British Red Cross Society who will put it to a variety of needs within Ukraine – please give if you can and do what you can to help.

Reading this blog counts towards your CPD!

Click here to add this session to your Paradigm CPD log.


21 December 2023

PTs remain a big part of the marketplace


21 December 2023

Not all wine and roses but outlook is better


15 December 2023

Artificial Intelligence: A vision for the future


12 December 2023

Reflecting on 2023


11 December 2023

Mental Health Matters: Menopause


8 December 2023

Looking ahead: Reasons to be cheerful about the market in 2023


17 November 2023

Why TikTok could be a winning tactic for brokers


30 October 2023

How advisers can improve the quality metrics with insurers


27 October 2023

The Aggregator Market - Friend or Foe?


25 October 2023

Don’t let Charter support remove advice from the mortgage process


3 October 2023

How to strengthen your defences against cyber threats


29 September 2023

White Dragon Communications


8 September 2023

Advisers deserve recognition for keeping borrowers on lender books


8 September 2023

Claims history of an insurance should form core part of assessing true value of insurance and advic


23 August 2023

The good, the bad & the ugly of using Artificial Intelligence (AI)


14 August 2023

Accessibility in your marketing


14 August 2023

Choosing the right social media platform for you


7 August 2023

Staying safe online


7 August 2023

Search engine optimisation: the process of making your site better for search engines. 


4 August 2023

The blasé attitude towards sudden mortgage withdrawals is not good enough


1 August 2023

Is your content compliant?


10 July 2023

The argument for higher proc fees for better quality business is undeniable


22 June 2023

Product withdrawal timescales and how brokers can adapt


1 June 2023

We're not in mini-Budget territory yet!


24 May 2023

Skipton’s 100 per cent mortgage should be replicated, not feared


30 April 2023

Protection And Mortgage Fair Value Assessments – What Is My Actual Responsibility?


6 April 2023

Lenders will compete on mortgage rates, but don’t expect a price war


27 March 2023

Vulnerable Customers and Economic Abuse


Paradigm

THIS SITE IS FOR PROFESSIONAL INTERMEDIARY USE ONLY AND NOT FOR USE BY THE GENERAL PUBLIC.

APCC Member
Paradigm Consulting is a Member of the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants

Paradigm Consulting is a trading name of Paradigm Partners Ltd
Office address: Paradigm Partners Ltd, Paradigm House, Brooke Court, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 3ND
Paradigm Partners Ltd is registered in England and Wales. No.09902499. Registered Office: As above

Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP
Office address: 1310 Solihull Parkway, Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham B37 7YB
Registered in England and Wales. Company No: OC323403. Registered Office: Paradigm House, Brooke Court, Lower Meadow Road, Wilmslow, SK9 3ND
Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership.

Paradigm Protect is a trading name of Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP
Office address: 1310 Solihull Parkway, Birmingham Business Park, Birmingham B37 7YB
Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP is registered in England and Wales. Company No: OC323403. Registered Office: Paradigm House, Brooke Court, Lower Meadow Road, Wilmslow, SK9 3ND
Paradigm Mortgage Services LLP is a Limited Liability Partnership.