London (11 August, 2026) – Mortgage adviser numbers grew in the first half of 2026 as the sector continues to display its resilience amid challenging conditions, shows new data from ISS Market Intelligence (ISS MI).
ISS MI’s latest edition of The Landscape Report reveals that there are now 36,764 individuals with mortgage-related permissions on the FCA Register, up 0.4 percent from 36,604 at the end of 2025.
Mortgage advisers were also one of the few adviser groups to record growth during the first six months of the year. By comparison, the total number of UK advisers fell by 0.4 percent over the same period.
ISS MI, part of the ISS STOXX GmbH group of companies, is a leading provider of data, analytics, insights, media, and events solutions to the global financial services industry. Twice a year it publishes The Landscape Report, which covers changes to the UK advice market over the proceeding six-month period.
This edition of the report shows that Mortgage Advisers remain the largest specialist mortgage segment by both firm and individual numbers, reinforcing their position as the dominant force within the mortgage intermediary market.
One of the report’s most significant findings was the continued growth in professionals holding the FCA’s CPD20 designation (which denotes permissions to advise or arrange regulated mortgage contracts). The number of individuals holding this designation increased to 35,047 as at 30th June 2026, up from 34,763 as at 31st December 2025, making it the only major mortgage-related category to grow during the period.
At the same time, the number of individuals authorised to advise on equity release transactions fell to 5,934 (from 6,142 at the end of 2025), and those holding Responsibility for MCD Intermediation declined from 4,167 (at the end of 2025) to 4,057. While there are often many people in a mortgage business who are able to advise clients, an individual with an MCD designation is often the one responsible for making decisions on panel selection. The person performing this role may be in a risk or compliance function rather than strictly advice.
Mark Hamper, Head of Strategy and Business Lead, UK, commented:
“The mortgage market continues to demonstrate considerable resilience. While many areas of the financial services market are navigating ongoing change, adviser numbers within the mortgage sector have remained stable and continue to grow incrementally. The increase in professionals holding regulated mortgage advice permissions suggests firms remain committed to supporting adviser capacity and meeting customer demand.”
Among the largest mortgage firms, Stonebridge Mortgage Solutions retained its position as the UK’s largest specialist mortgage organisation. However, its growth has moderated compared with previous periods. The firm hired an additional 19 registered individuals during H1 2026 after stronger growth in the second half of 2025 (when they added 60 advisers to their business).
Mortgage Advice Bureau (Derby) Limited once again recorded the largest increase in adviser numbers among the top 30 firms. The business added 137 registered individuals during the period and continuing a pattern of sustained growth.
The largest mortgage networks also showed notable stability. Phoenix Financial Consultants retained the top position by number of appointed representative firms. Although the firms holding a top 10 spot at the end of 2025 remained the same, there was movement within the rankings. Sesame Limited, AFS Compliance Ltd and Connect IFA Ltd were in positions 8, 9, and 7 at the end of 2025.
Hamper concluded: “For lenders, insurers and service providers, maintaining visibility into adviser growth, firm-level changes and network structures is essential for identifying opportunities and engaging the right intermediaries across the mortgage distribution landscape.”
Copies of the Landscape Report are available to download from ISS Market Intelligence at: https://www.issmarketintelligence.com/solutions/marketsage/the-landscape-report/
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About ISS Market Intelligence
ISS Market Intelligence (MI) is a leading provider of data, insights, and market engagement solutions to the global financial services industry. ISS MI empowers asset and wealth management firms, insurance companies, distributors, service providers, and technology firms to assess their target markets, identify and analyse the best opportunities within those markets, and execute comprehensive go-to-market initiatives to grow their business. Clients benefit from our increasingly connected global platform that leverages a combination of proprietary data, powerful analytics, timely and relevant insights, in-depth research, as well as an extensive suite of industry-leading media brands that deliver unmatched market connectivity through news and editorial content, events, training, ratings, and awards.
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