Offa has appointed Sultan Choudhury OBE as its first chairman and Andy Blenkinsop as chairman of the lender’s risk committee.
Offa, a Shariah-compliant bridging provider, has strengthened its senior management team with the appointment of Sultan Choudhury OBE (pictured) as its first chairman, and Andy Blenkinsop as chairman of its risk committee.
Choudhury has 26 years of experience in professional and financial services, having worked at Deloitte, Charles Schwab, Barclays, and Al Rayan Bank.
Choudhury is a chartered accountant (FCA), chartered member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment and a board adviser to the UK Islamic Finance Council.
Blenkinsop has a over 40 years experience in real estate finance including 27 years with Barclays and HBOS.
For the previous 10 years, Blenkinsop was a partner of Pluto Finance.
Bilal Ahmed, founding partner and chief executive at Offa Alternative Ethical Finance, said: “The addition of Sultan Choudhury is a great addition for Offa and is a boost for its vision to grow into a significant alternative ethical financier in the real estate sector.
“Sultan’s wealth of experience and seniority in the UK Islamic finance sector over 15 years including setting up and running the largest UK Islamic Bank and issuing the largest sterling sukuk (sharia compliant bond-like instrument) is a great testament to his suitability for the role at Offa.”
Choudhury added: “Offa is a much-needed service required in the UK Islamic finance sector.
“I know from having built a large Sharia compliant real estate financing book in the UK, that short term finance can make a real difference for investors seeking to purchase a property quickly or otherwise lose opportunities.”
Blenkinsop added: “Since joining Offa I have very much enjoyed working the team that delivers am ethical finance solution to the market and impressed with the professionalism of balancing the credit risk and delivering great customer service”.
