In episode #139 of the Growth Series podcast’s Mortgage Mentors series, host Jeremy Duncombe, Managing Director at Accord Mortgages is joined by Nicola Goldie, Head of Strategic Partnerships at Aldermore Bank to explore her distinctive career journey and the experiences that have shaped her calm, people-led approach to leadership within financial services.
Starting out in travel and catalogue call centres, Nicola moved through PR, fashion, product development and insurance before finding her place in the intermediary market. Each step built commercial awareness, relationship skills and a strong sense of purpose, all of which now sit at the heart of her role leading strategic partnerships at Aldermore. The conversation reflects on how curiosity and resilience can open doors, even when the route ahead feels uncertain.
A central theme of the episode is what makes partnerships truly work. Nicola shares her view that trust, shared goals and the ability to adapt together form the foundation of long-term success. Drawing on experience across several lenders, she explains why cultural alignment matters and why choosing the right organisation is key to staying authentic as a leader.
Jeremy and Nicola also explore her long-standing involvement in diversity, inclusion and mentoring across the mortgage industry. From her work with the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) to her current role as Chair of Working in Mortgages, Nicola speaks candidly about creating safe spaces for conversation, supporting under-represented voices and helping people feel less alone. The discussion highlights how initiatives like mentoring and industry benchmarking are shaping a more open and sustainable future for mortgages.
The episode closes on a more personal note, with Nicola reflecting on balancing leadership with caring responsibilities, family life and the pressures that come with both. Her perspective on staying focused, prioritising what matters and leading with empathy offers a thoughtful reminder that strong leadership is grounded in humanity.
Listen to more podcasts in the Mortgage Mentors Series here.
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05:46 - 36:56
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