In the latest ‘Keep the Conversation Going’ interview, Richard Croll, regional sales manager for South & South Wales at Equifinance, joins Jason Berry, group sales director of Crystal Specialist Finance and co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter (MIMHC).

In this discussion, Croll opened up about overcoming a life-threatening illness during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic — a time when isolation and fear were already running high across society.

Croll reflected on his journey to recovery and the perspective it’s given him on health, resilience, and the value of human connection:

He said: “Being seriously ill during the pandemic was incredibly tough — physically, mentally, and emotionally.

“At a time when the world was already turned upside down, to face a personal health battle on top of that felt overwhelming.

“But I also learned just how strong the human spirit can be. The experience gave me real clarity on what matters most: your health, your relationships, and your mindset.”

Croll also spoke candidly about how that period reshaped his thinking around work-life balance and the importance of kindness — both to others and to ourselves.

He added: “In our industry, it’s easy to get caught in the cycle of relentless activity. But when you’re faced with something life-changing, it reorders your priorities.

“I’ve learned that empathy isn’t a soft skill — it’s a vital one. And looking after yourself isn’t optional — it’s essential if you want to be there for others.”

Berry said: “Richard’s story is a powerful reminder that we never really know what someone is carrying — and why it’s so important to keep creating space for these conversations.”

(MIMHC) is a not-for-profit organisation that was founded to raise awareness of employees’ mental health and how the industry can take positive action to improve it.

MIMHC is made up of 7 co-founding firms plus over 100 signatory companies across the mortgage industry that represent over 20,000 individuals. All these firms agree to be bound by MIMHC’s 6 Governing Rules which apply best practice health and wellbeing guidelines and are summarised as ‘The MIMHC Charter’.