Our annual showpiece event took place in at Birmingham’s ICC on 19 January. Here are a few snaps from the day.
Blog
MMR: An early Christmas present for brokers?
The FSA issued its long-awaited Mortgage Market Review (MMR) this week.
Having taken a closer look, it seems the FSA has listened to our feedback, as well as that from The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) and lenders.
I’m pleased to see that several proposals outlined in earlier Consultation Papers have now been dropped. As a result, …
Categories: Mortgage Market Review, Mortgages
The final push
DAY FIVE: Roberts Rock – Aqaba (105km)
Our evening (day four) at the Bedouin camp was truly memorable.
We were treated to an amazing sunset which we watched from the top of Roberts Rock. The support team cooked a wonderful barbecue on their small stove and we wore coloured glow bangles as we sat around the camp …
Categories: Cycle challenge, Openwork Foundation
Neil of Arabia
DAY FOUR: Petra – Roberts Rock (60km)
(written by Neil Hurrell)
An early call gets us up for an early start and we say goodbye to historic Petra. All are keen for the day ahead despite some nursing various injuries and delicate stomachs. Sadly we lose one team member, who is on doctor’s orders to rest (I …
Categories: Cycle challenge, Openwork Foundation
Petra
DAY THREE: Petra Trek
It’s an 8.30am start (a lie in compared to the previous day). Everyone was bright and breezy, which was great to see after such a tough day on Tuesday.
We headed off, kitted out for a day of trekking, to Petra, the ancient Nabatean capital. Ahmed, our guide, led the way, explaining the …
Categories: Cycle challenge, Openwork Foundation
Return of the flies
DAY TWO: Dead Sea – Kerak (60km, optional 24km)
We’re up at 06:00, oh my that’s early. This was going to be a long day as we headed south, tracking the edge of the Dead Sea. We were cycling to the end of the Sea before turning inland to Kerak.
Phil White led our morning warm up …
Categories: Cycle challenge, Openwork Foundation
From mountain to mudbath
DAY ONE: Madaba – Mount Nebo – Dead Sea (40km)
We were all woken at 5am to chanting, cheering, singing and horn blowing as the people of Madaba began a new day.
After breakfast we each met our trusted steeds for the week (the bikes), which we will probably love and hate in equal measure. After everyone …
Categories: Cycle challenge, Openwork Foundation
Check-in…check
Everyone arrived at Heathrow promptly for check in on Sunday afternoon – this is going to be a great team!
There was some nervous anticipation as everyone met one another, in most cases for the first time. Mansur (the doc) and Anne (our team leader) are here too – so we’re good to go.
We all shared …
Categories: Cycle challenge, Openwork Foundation
Ready for the off!
A brave team of Advisers, friends, provider partners and staff will set off for Jordan on Sunday (9 October), for the 11th Openwork Foundation Cycle Challenge.
The team includes Devesh Ambasna, Andy Carlisle (MetLife), Rob Fisher, Jon Gunter, Brian Harding, David & Alison Harvey, Neil Hurrell, Lesley McMillan, Pete Moran, Nathan Morrisen,
Tex Nagra, Ramon Puig, David …
Categories: Cycle challenge, Openwork Foundation