Conference 2024 – Driving Growth

It’s hard to believe that our Conference at Silverstone was already four weeks ago! The event was a remarkable success, and what better time to reflect on some of the highlights that made it one to remember. We’ve asked our Head of Marketing Nick Terry to dissect the day at Conference 2024.

An unofficial slogan for the Conference project team each year is #we’reinagoodplace, and I think it was more relevant than ever as we descended on Silverstone for Conference 2024! Twickenham was a great venue over the past few years, but a fresh approach at an iconic venue like Silverstone certainly stepped the event up again.

Driving Growth

It wouldn’t be a Mortgage Intelligence Conference without a theme that tied into the venue (verging on the groan-inducing pun), and so ‘Driving Growth’ was an obvious fit. We hope that everyone left the event with new ideas to drive growth in their business, and push the boundaries of what’s possible, just as so many have done before on the tarmac of Silverstone.

Exhibition Hall

This year’s Exhibition Hall was our biggest yet, with 55 lenders and providers in formation ready for advisers to stop by. One of the things we regularly hear from the lenders and providers is the fantastic level of engagement from advisers at our event, and this one didn’t disappoint! In fact, attendees rated the exhibition hall layout and range of lenders/providers both at 9.5 out of 10.

MI Lounge

A new part of this year’s event was the introduction of our daytime ‘MI Lounge’ session, where members heard from new Managing Director John Cupis at his first Conference in the driver’s seat. The session was a standout part of the day, featuring an insightful discussion with Zahid Bilgrami, CEO at Mortgage Brain, a lively lender panel, thought-provoking protection presentation from Richard Horner at MetLife, and a special thank you to Sally Laker. 

Sally’s last Conference

We couldn’t let Sally retire without paying homage to her massive contribution to the company over 27 years. Ian Andrew, a long-time industry friend, interviewed Sally on stage before we surprised her with a video highlights reel of her best moments! The moment I particularly remember was the standing ovation that followed. You could feel the swell of emotion in the room, and it was the perfect way to say thank you, and farewell. 

Do All Advisers Think the Same?

A personal highlight for me was hosting a new adviser-led session, designed to tackle some of the industry’s toughest questions. Using an agree-or-disagree format with live polls, we delved into significant issues to answer the question, “Do all advisers think the same?” This session sparked lively discussions, offering a glimpse into the diverse perspectives within our community. We wanted to hear directly from advisers at this year’s event, and this new session did exactly that.

An Evening to Remember 

Our keynote speaker, Perry McCarthy, provided a truly unforgettable speech. His talk on resilience and performance, drawing from his career as a racing driver, paired with his sense of humour, inspired us all.  The conference concluded on a high note with our awards ceremony, celebrating the outstanding achievements throughout the Network and Club. It was a privilege to recognise those who have excelled and made significant contributions. 

Thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this conference such a success. We’re looking forward to seeing the momentum continue throughout the year!

Take a look at the official photo gallery and video below, and if you’re interested in joining our network or club, get in contact today.

Conference 2024 Photo Gallery: