The Intermediary – November 2025 - Flipbook - Page 52
Round-table.
From backlog to
Marvin Onumonu unpacks the key points from
The Intermediary’s recent round-table, in partnership with Movera,
which set out practical steps to improve conveyancing
T
he conveyancing sector faces
persistent challenges but
also powerful opportunities
for transformation. To make
the most of this opportunity,
The Intermediary and Movera
brought together expert voices
from across the sector to make concrete plans for
how the industry can move forward.
AT T R AC T I NG TA L E N T
Often relegated to a back-office function,
conveyancing struggles to be recognised as
a modern, dynamic profession. In addition,
Lee Riche, commercial director at Landmark
Optimus, reflects that longevity used to be
the ultimate career goal, but there has been a
recent generational shift. The industry cannot
expect loyalty for loyalty’s sake, but must offer a
compelling, developmental experience – even if a
new recruit spends only a few years in the sector.
Riche says: “The focus should be on how to get
the best out of that person in those five years and
make it an exciting journey for them. Hopefully, by
doing that, they’ll want to stay within the market,
because you’ve given them a fulfilling experience.”
Jeanette Coughlan, home conveyancing director
at Connells Group, says it is rare to see positive
news about working in conveyancing, adding: “We
each have a responsibility to promote just how
collaborative, interesting, challenging yet fulfilling
this can be.”
Julian Lavender, corporate accounts director
at iamsold & iamproperty, notes that while sales
operations grow rapidly and invest in graduate
schemes and development programmes,
conveyancing is slower to adapt. Fee earner
recruitment at times becomes a real challenge, but
Lavender has seen improvements since extending
development initiatives to the conveyancing
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The Intermediary | November 2025
IN ASSOCIATION WITH
team in his own business. Retention rates have
improved and people see a clear career pathway.
“Our conveyancers are being recognised as
partners in the business, rather than just another
support function,” he says.
Coughlan highlights another recruitment
challenge, saying: “We often see current
conveyancers moving between firms. Where do
we find fresh talent? We need to be open-minded
about who we bring in – it’s not just about looking
to similar professional services, but from other
industries as well. It is the core skills that are the
most important thing: to be able to deal with
complexity but also deliver a fantastic client and
introducer service.”
Lavender points to his firm’s collaboration with
Newcastle University, while Jim Quinton, senior
manager at Nationwide Building Society, adds that
apprenticeships are a valuable route.
“We’re focusing on reaching students as
they finish sixth form or college,” he says.
“Apprenticeships are valuable, even though
candidates are young and it’s a bit of a gamble.
It’s been a struggle to recruit for roles similar to
legal executives or back-office functions, so we’re
now focusing on 12-month contracts and similar
opportunities. Yes, you want experienced people,
but apprenticeships provide another path.”
In order to ensure the success of these
programmes, Quinton says the sector must
address confusion around its identity: “If I were
a 20-year-old looking at my next step, I’d be
confused. Am I joining the property sector or the
legal sector? The industry is confused about its
own identity, and that comes through.”
