The Intermediary –- June 2026 - Flipbook - Page 35
I N P RO F I L E
deals work from an affordability point of view.
We’ve also introduced higher loan limits. It’s just
all really about the feedback from the market and
from brokers.”
Despite the challenges facing the sector, Wright
believes professional landlords remain among the
most resilient participants in the wider property
market. In recent years, they have absorbed
higher Stamp Duty costs, affordability pressures,
regulatory reform and ongoing consultation
around energy efficiency standards.
Importantly, Wright sees the health of the
private rented sector (PRS) as closely linked to
wider housing market functionality.
She says: “Committed, more business-like
portfolio landlords remain the most resilient in
the market, and demand for good quality rented
homes is still absolutely underpinning the sector. A
well-functioning private rental sector gives people
a home while they build towards home ownership.”
Regulation and reform
Over a month on since the Renters’ Rights Act
implementation, Wright takes a measured view,
arguing that the long-term drivers supporting
demand remain firmly intact.
She notes: “We’ve got a growing population,
so they all need homes to live in. We’ve got a
changing household composition with a lot more
people living alone for longer. Nowadays, people
do tend to stay living alone for a much longer
period, and they use the [PRS] for that. There’s a
forecast growth in student numbers as well. That
means more [houses in multiple occupation], more
multi-unit freehold blocks. There’s also definitely a
shortfall in social housing.”
She continues: “While a lot of landlords have
told us that they expect to make no changes
to their portfolios until conditions are more
favourable, many do actually plan to grow.”
Wright argues that better standards across the
sector will ultimately benefit all stakeholders.
She adds: “I personally think it’s a really good
thing. We’re going to end up with better housing
stock, better quality living standards for tenants,
more stability and more energy efficient homes.”
Growing broker relationships
Over recent years, Paragon has expanded its
distribution capabilities, investing in additional
support functions and widening access points for
intermediaries, including mobile underwriters,
more BDMs and dedicated telephone support.
These enhancements give brokers quicker access
to specialist support while maintaining efficiency
for more straightforward cases. At the same time,
Paragon has broadened its reach through clubs
and networks.
Wright says: “We’re getting business now from
brokers who have not used us before. In fact, 30%
of the business we received in the last 12 months
was from new to Paragon brokers. We want to
continue to build on that [...] and also increase the
business from [existing relationships].”
Last year, Paragon also introduced a new
originations platform and broker portal designed
to improve efficiency and visibility throughout the
application process.
For Wright, the objective is not to replace people
but to remove unnecessary friction.
She notes: “It’s really important that brokers
still have that human element; that they have
somebody to talk to. We are using technology now
to support the expertise of our staff rather than
replace it.
“It creates a much faster journey for simpler
cases and, as I mentioned before, better visibility
for brokers.”
In fact, maintaining those personal relationships
remains a core part of the lender’s approach.
Wright explains: “One thing that Paragon has
always been really good at is allowing those
brokers to have direct access to underwriters.
“The platform also frees up our experienced
people to work closely with brokers, enabling us
to lend on both simple and complex cases where
judgement and relationships matter most.
“It doesn’t mean that we’ve taken away that
human approach. We’ve still left all of those doors
to communication completely open.”
Looking ahead
For Wright, the priorities for the year ahead
are relatively straightforward. Having spent
considerable time evolving Paragon’s proposition,
the focus now is on continuing that momentum
while responding to changing market conditions.
She says: “It’s all about continuing to move
forward with innovation.
“We’re keeping a close watch on the market
conditions and ensuring that we’re offering
the very best proposition and service to our
distribution partners, to our broker partners and
our landlords.”
In a market where volatility has become the
norm, Wright’s outlook is less about reacting to
individual shocks and more about maintaining a
steady trajectory.
For Paragon, that means listening closely to
brokers and ensuring that, whatever the market
throws out next, it remains ready to respond.
As Wright puts it: “We’re just keeping our eyes
and ears open, and we’re going to continue all the
good work that we’ve been doing over the last
12 months. It’s about bringing that forward and
continuing to move in the same trajectory.”
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