John Haley has been appointed Commercial Director, Mortgage Strategy. He takes the reins at an exciting time, with the Mortgage Strategy Awards celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2027.
Mortgage Strategy spoke to Haley about his career to date and the opportunities his role at Mortgage Strategy offers.
Where did you work previously and what was your role?
I spent a significant portion of my career at Newton Media, from 2008 to 2026, as a commercial director and publisher in the areas of legal, reinsurance and technology transformation. The common thread was helping business partners win customers through personalized opportunities that connect them with the right audiences. For me, the best partnerships start with listening and developing ideas about what companies actually need.
What excites you most about your role in Mortgage Strategy?
Building on the momentum of the past two years. The MiT Live Awards and the Specialist Lending Awards for Mortgage Strategy have been very well received. I look forward to getting to know our broker and lending community, understanding their priorities and exploring how we can help them engage with their mortgage strategy audience and build stronger relationships.
What prior experience can you draw on to take your mortgage strategy to the next level?
Working across different sectors gives you new perspectives. As Director of Partnerships at LegalTechTalk, I’ve seen how events need to evolve to create great experiences for attendees while delivering meaningful engagement and results for sponsors. I hope to bring some of that brilliance to our events and awards program in 2027.
I joined Mortgage Strategy as it plans the 25th anniversary of its awards – widely viewed as the Oscars of the industry. How important are these events and what exciting things can we look forward to seeing in 2027?
Twenty-five years is an incredible milestone for the best awards in the industry. They give us time to celebrate the leaders, innovators, and people who support the mortgage industry, and recognize their contribution.
Working on the 2027 Main Event is a true privilege, and we are exploring ways to bring new experiences and some surprises to 2027, building on everything that makes the “Oscars of the Mortgage Industry” such a special night.
