Specialist lender Pepper Money has confirmed the return of its broker wellbeing Retreat for 2026, with two events scheduled for 21st April in Manchester and 3rd June in London. The events will be returning as part of Pepper Money’s ‘Be More You’ wellness initiative, which is designed to support the well-being of UK mortgage finance professionals and help them find a better work-life balance.
Now entering its third year, this year’s Retreat series has been officially recognised by the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC). Representatives from the Charter, including Eloise Hall of eSurv and Gemma Bennett of The Mortgage Mum, will join the events, with Charter co-founder Jason Berry also contributing to the programme.
MIMHC’s endorsement marks a new stage in the programme’s development, reinforcing Retreat as more than a standalone event series and reflecting its growing role within the industry’s wider wellbeing agenda.
Industry data underscores need for continued focus
The 2025 MIMHC Mental Health & Wellbeing Survey highlights why initiatives such as Retreat remain critical. Last year, nearly 59% of respondents reported working more than 45 hours per week, with over 10% working more than 60 hours. Although this represents a modest improvement on the previous year, the figures continue to signal a real, sustained risk of burnout among brokers. Sleep quality also remains inconsistent across the industry. Only a minority of respondents reported achieving five or more nights of sufficient sleep per week, with 43% identifying adequate sleep and rest as one of the most important contributors to health and well-being.
Meanwhile, 21.9% of respondents rate their mental well-being as poor or concerning, broadly consistent with the “one in five” finding reported in 2024. While work-life balance has shown signs of improvement, with 34.4% reporting better balance year-on-year, the economic environment remains the single biggest stress driver for brokers, followed by client demands.
With the next edition of the Charter’s survey due to be published shortly after Retreat North on 21 April, the events will provide a timely forum to reflect on industry progress, identify where further improvements are needed and discuss how brokers can proactively protect their wellbeing.
Practical tools, peer support and open dialogue
As in previous years, Retreat 2026 will focus on actionable strategies brokers can implement immediately. Sessions will include guided breathwork workshops by one of the UK’s leading breathwork coaches, Jessie Laute, practical techniques to improve sleep and resilience, and open discussions around workload, boundaries and stress management.
As awareness and participation in wellbeing initiatives continue to grow across the industry, the Retreat series is designed to support early identification of burnout risks, encourage preventative strategies and help embed a culture where wellbeing is recognised as integral to long-term professional success.
Paul Adams, Sales Director at Pepper Money, said: “Retreat has always been about turning our commitment to broker wellbeing into practical action. The data from the 2025 MIMHC survey shows progress, but it also reminds us that long hours, inconsistent rest, and economic pressures remain a reality for many brokers. With 22% of brokers rating their mental well-being as poor or concerning, targeted and sustained support for the industry remains essential. We can’t afford to take our eye of the ball – continued focus, awareness and meaningful action around mental health remains critical.
“We believe supporting brokers goes beyond products and service levels. It means recognising the human impact of operating in a fast-paced, highly regulated market. The Charter’s recognition of Retreat reflects how the initiative has evolved and matured. It is about creating the right environment for honest conversations and long-term change.”
Jason Berry, co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, said: “Pepper Money have been outstanding supporters of mental health and wellbeing in recent times, and their Retreat series is a powerful example of what modern broker engagement should look like. By creating space for meaningful conversations around sleep, mindset and personal development, informed by the insights from our 2025 MIMHC survey, they are demonstrating real leadership.
This isn’t just another industry event; it’s a thoughtful investment in the well-being and performance of brokers. I’m incredibly proud to be strengthening our collaboration as we move into 2026 and to see Pepper Money continuing to lead the way with a human, progressive approach to supporting our sector.”
