Roz Cawood argues that active sponsorship, not just mentoring, is key to advancing women’s careers and strengthening performance across the mortgage sector.
International Women’s Day (IWD) always makes me reflect on how far our sector has come and where we can still do better. For brokers and lenders focused on long-term growth, culture and commercial performance are closely linked and the way we support women in our businesses is part of that equation.
The value of support
I have long believed in mentoring. Over the years, I have taken part in industry schemes and supported a number of mentees, often through the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries’ (AMI) Working in Mortgages platform. Creating a safe, confidential space where someone can talk openly about conflict, confidence or career direction can be hugely valuable. Plenty of women simply need clarity, reassurance and the chance to test their thinking with someone outside their immediate workplace.
However, I’ve seen that mentoring alone does not always translate into progression. Sponsorship carries a different level of responsibility. It means using your position and influence in the moments that shape careers. It means backing someone in a promotion discussion, challenging pay gaps where you see them, or putting a woman’s name forward for a high-profile project or speaking opportunity. It requires you to attach your credibility to someone else’s potential.
Talent + targets = results?
I was promoted early in my career because I was good at the job, and suddenly I was responsible for a sizeable team with very little guidance on how to lead. My focus was firmly on delivery. Targets mattered, and I was determined to prove myself. It did not take long to realise that results are achieved through people. When your team feels supported and trusted, performance follows.
Over time, that lesson changed how I lead. I became far more conscious of the responsibility that comes with seniority. Research from McKinsey shows that organisations in the top quartile for leadership performance deliver almost double the EBITDA of others. Businesses are also far more likely to achieve above average financial results when leadership teams share a clear and meaningful vision. In my experience, inclusive leadership is closely connected to commercial strength.
For brokers in a relationship-driven market, this is not abstract theory. Reputation is built on actions. When senior leaders consistently advocate for talented women, it shapes how firms are perceived by introducers, clients and future recruits. It also strengthens the overall talent base of our sector.
Lifting the industry
Sponsorship extends beyond internal promotion rounds. Allyship in the wider industry plays a part. That might mean sharing a colleague’s insight on LinkedIn, inviting her to co-author a trade article, recommending her for a panel discussion, or sharing specialist knowledge that helps build her profile. Visibility builds authority, and authority influences opportunity.
Recruitment is another area where sponsorship can make a tangible difference. I have learned to look carefully at shortlists, to question assumptions about experience, and to recognise transferable skills. Career breaks, caring responsibilities and health matters can shape a CV, but they do not define capability. Open conversations about topics such as menopause and resilience have also been important to me, because retaining experienced women is just as critical as attracting new talent.
Companies should reflect society
Our intermediary market serves a broad and diverse client base across the UK. Reflecting that diversity within our teams leads to stronger thinking and better decision making. Commercial success and inclusive cultures move in the same direction when leadership is deliberate and consistent.
The theme for International Women’s Day on 8th March 2026, Give To Gain, is driving home the fact that contributing time, knowledge, advocacy and opportunity creates wider support for women. As more women progress, the benefits extend beyond individual careers to firms, clients and communities.
For me, sponsorship is about acting with intent. It is about sharing networks, opening doors and speaking up when it matters most. If we do that consistently, we strengthen our businesses and our industry will rise higher.
Roz Cawood is managing director of property finance at StreamBank