In the first episode of our Rising Stars series 2026, Marcus sits down with Jack Cope, Head of Mortgages at Bridgemore Capital.

Jack’s career didn’t follow a straight, planned path. Like a lot of people in finance, he found his way into the industry, learned on the job, and took opportunities as they came.

What’s made the difference is how he approached those opportunities.

From starting out in customer-facing roles to moving into brokering and stepping into leadership, Jack shares how saying “yes” early on, backing himself, and being willing to learn has helped him build momentum in his career.

This episode is a grounded look at what early careers in finance actually look like, and what tends to make the difference over time.

In this episode:

• How Jack got started in financial services
  
  
• Why early roles matter more than people think
  
  
• The transition from employed roles into brokering
  
  
• What helped him progress into leadership
  
  
• Why saying “yes” to opportunities can accelerate your career
  
  
• The role of mentors and learning from people around you
  
  
• Advice for anyone starting out or looking to move forward
  
  

If you’re early in your career in mortgages, specialist lending or financial services, this episode gives a realistic view of how careers develop and what actually helps you move forward.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus sits down with Kallie Henson, Senior Consultant at NRG Recruitment, to talk about how hiring in financial services has changed over the past 12–18 months.

There are still roles being filled. There are still good candidates in the market.

But the way hiring decisions are being made has shifted.

Processes are more considered. Expectations are higher on both sides. And what makes someone the “right fit” isn’t always as straightforward as it once was.

This conversation looks at what’s actually driving that change, and what hiring managers and candidates need to understand to navigate it properly.

In this episode:

• Why hiring processes are becoming more considered
• What’s changed in how candidates are being assessed
• Why cultural fit is playing a bigger role in hiring decisions
• How expectations have shifted on both sides of the process
• What stands out in a more competitive and selective market
• How to approach hiring and job moves more effectively right now

About Kallie Henson

Kallie Henson is a Senior Consultant at NRG Recruitment, specialising in the lending and specialist finance market.

She started her career in senior and executive finance recruitment before moving into specialist lending, where she focuses on short-term finance, development finance and commercial mortgages.

Working closely with both hiring managers and candidates, Kallie brings a clear, up-to-date view of how the recruitment market is evolving.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this episode of NRG Insights, we bring together perspectives from Kunal Mehta, Ashley Ilsen and Duncan Kreeger to look at what’s actually driving deals and long-term success in financial services.

With more technology, more automation and more tools than ever, it’s easy to assume the industry is moving away from people.

But in reality, the opposite seems to be happening.

The processes might be faster, the systems more efficient, but the value still sits in relationships, communication and trust.

Across this episode, the conversation focuses on how experienced operators are balancing technology with personal interaction, and why the human side of the industry is becoming more important, not less.

In this episode:
Why technology improves process but doesn’t replace relationships
How strong relationships continue to drive deals in competitive markets
The role communication plays in building trust with clients and partners
Why different communication styles matter across clients and generations
How to balance efficiency with a more personal approach

As the industry continues to evolve, the fundamentals haven’t changed.

People still back people.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this episode of NRG Insights, we take a step back and look at what actually helps people and businesses stay relevant in a changing market.

Bringing together insights from Peter Beaumont, Andrew Robinson and Chris Gardner, this episode focuses on three themes that continue to come up in conversations across financial services: understanding the market, evolving with it, and working more collaboratively.

Each guest offers a different perspective, shaped by their experience across lending, development and advisory. But across all three conversations, there are clear patterns in how experienced operators approach change, uncertainty and growth.

From adapting products based on broker and client feedback, to evolving business models and building stronger relationships across the industry, this episode highlights what tends to make the difference when conditions shift.

In this episode:

•  Why understanding market feedback is key to staying relevant 
•  How businesses adapt their offering as conditions change 
•  The importance of evolving beyond your original model 
•  Why collaboration between lenders, brokers and developers matters more than ever 
•  How experienced professionals approach uncertainty in the market 

This episode offers a practical look at what helps people navigate an evolving financial landscape, without overcomplicating it.

Whether you’re a broker, lender or working within property finance, the themes in this conversation will feel familiar.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

Careers in financial services rarely follow a straight line.

Some start in admin roles, some in sales, others in completely different industries before finding their place in finance. But over time, certain lessons tend to repeat themselves. The people who build long, successful careers often share similar attitudes towards learning, work ethic, and how they approach opportunities.

This Best Of episode of NRG Insights brings together advice from several guests who have built strong reputations across the industry. Featuring Paula Mercer, Jaz Dhaliwal, Dan Kendrick, Danny Kiely, Rebecca Lewis, Matthew Yassin and Uliana Kuzmis, the episode pulls together some of the most practical career insights shared on the podcast.

Across different roles and career paths, they reflect on the decisions, habits and lessons that helped shape their journeys in finance.

If you're starting out in the industry, building momentum in your career, or simply looking for perspective from people who have already navigated the path, this episode offers a collection of valuable insights from those who have done it first.

What’s covered in this episode:

• Why learning the fundamentals early in your career pays off later
• The role persistence and resilience play in financial services
• Why relationships still drive opportunities in the industry
• How mentorship and experienced colleagues accelerate learning
• The importance of staying curious and continuously improving
• Why setbacks often become the most valuable lessons
• How consistency and reliability build long-term credibility

Whether you're new to the industry or already established in your role, these lessons offer a practical look at what helps people succeed in financial services over the long term.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus sits down with Matthew Yassin, Managing Director of Structured Finance at Aquilae Capital, to explore what really goes into structuring complex financial deals.

With over 25 years of experience across banking, property investment and structured finance, Matthew has spent his career helping businesses navigate major financial decisions. From acquisitions and refinancing to restructuring and growth capital, his role sits at the point where strategy, risk and funding all intersect.

Marcus and Matthew discuss the realities of advisory work in today’s market, why no two transactions are ever the same, and how thoughtful structuring can make the difference between a deal that works on paper and one that works in practice.

They also explore the growing importance of strategic guidance when businesses face high-stakes decisions, and why understanding both the numbers and the people behind them is critical in structured finance.

In this episode:

• Why structuring becomes more important as deals get more complex
• The role advisory plays when businesses are making major financial decisions
• How experienced advisors help navigate uncertainty in the market
• Why every client situation requires a tailored approach
• What separates good financial strategy from simply raising capital

Matthew also shares insights from his career across banking and investment, and how his experience helps clients approach financial decisions with clarity and long-term thinking.

Whether you’re involved in structured finance, property investment or advising businesses on funding strategy, this episode offers a valuable perspective on how deals come together when the stakes are high.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this Best Of episode of NRG Insights, we revisit conversations with three of the industry’s Rising Stars, Billie Cox, George Ormerod and Sam Hutchins, to hear what it’s really like starting out in financial services today.

The next generation is entering the industry at a time of constant change. Markets move quickly, expectations are higher, and the learning curve is steep. But fresh perspectives, adaptability and a willingness to learn are helping early-career professionals build momentum faster than ever.

This episode looks at how these Rising Stars approached their first roles, what helped them progress early, and the habits and mindset that are making a difference at the start of their careers.

If you’re new to the industry, managing junior talent, or thinking about how the next generation is shaping the future of financial services, this one’s worth a listen.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

Why starting in foundational roles builds long-term confidence
The value of mentorship and exposure early in your career
How younger professionals are adapting quickly to a changing market
Why being in the office still matters for learning and development
The realities of early career progression in financial services

If you like this episode, don’t forget to tag NRG when you share it!

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Uliana Kuzmis, Chief Credit Officer at Pallas Capital, to talk about how a new lender builds credibility and momentum in a competitive development finance market.

Uliana shares her experience joining Pallas Capital as one of the first hires in the UK and helping to put the foundations in place, from credit frameworks and risk controls to operational processes and team structure.

The conversation looks at how Pallas Capital has entered the UK with the backing of an established international business, why experienced originators and strong credit discipline matter early on, and how trust is built quickly with brokers and borrowers.

Marcus and Uliana also discuss the role of technology in supporting lending decisions, the importance of educating brokers in a complex sector, and where opportunities are emerging across the development finance market.

A practical episode for brokers, developers and anyone working in specialist lending who wants a clearer view of how new lenders establish themselves — and what the market looks for before backing them.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• What it takes to launch and scale a new lender in the UK
• Why strong credit frameworks matter from day one
• How experienced teams help build market trust quickly
• The role of technology in managing development lending efficiently
• Why broker and developer education is essential in development finance

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Jaz Dhaliwal, Consultant Solicitor at Taylor Rose, to talk about how client expectations in conveyancing are changing and what good service really looks like today.

With over a decade in residential property, Jaz shares how moving from a traditional model into consultancy has allowed her to offer a more flexible, client-focused approach. From out-of-hours communication to more personal support throughout the transaction, she explains why the standard clients expect is higher than ever.

The conversation also tackles some of the common frustrations around conveyancing, including where delays really come from and why better communication between solicitors, brokers and clients makes a significant difference to outcomes.

Marcus and Jaz also discuss the role of social media in building trust, the importance of being accessible and transparent, and why collaboration across the property process is essential as transactions become more complex.

A practical episode for brokers, property professionals and anyone involved in residential transactions who wants a clearer view of what clients now expect from their solicitor.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How client expectations in conveyancing have changed
• Why flexibility and accessibility are becoming essential
• The common causes of delays — and how to reduce them
• Why communication between brokers and solicitors matters more than ever
• How a more personal, service-led approach improves the client experience

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus sits down with Kunal Mehta, Managing Director of SDKA, to talk about his journey from airline captain to running one of the UK’s leading bridging lenders.

Before entering property finance, Kunal spent over 15 years as a pilot with Emirates. That experience, operating in a high-pressure, precision-led environment, now shapes how he approaches risk, decision-making and service in the world of bridging.

A practical, straight-talking episode for brokers, property professionals and anyone working in specialist lending.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How aviation discipline and decision-making translate into lending
• Why precision and risk management matter in bridging finance
• How the bridging market has evolved in recent years
• The growing demand for semi-commercial and flexible funding solutions
• Why service and relationships still drive long-term success

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know  what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.