The role is a voluntary one, with Heron working alongside others including the board’s chairman, Miguel Sard of Santander for Intermediaries.
John Heron of Paragon Mortgages has swapped his role on the board of the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders’ Association (IMLA) for a position on UK Finance’s mortgage and product service board.
The role is a voluntary one, with Heron (pictured) working alongside others including the board’s chairman, Miguel Sard of Santander for Intermediaries.
Paragon will still have a presence on the IMLA board in the form of its head of sales Moray Hulme.
Heron, managing director of Paragon, said: “This is part of my work around the wider mortgage industry for many years.
“The shift from the CML (Council of Mortgage Lenders) to UK Finance has been a very big change and it certainly has a wider remit.
“It’s incumbent on us – the members – to make sure it works as effectively as it can by getting involved.”
The function of the mortgage product board within UK Finance is to direct the development of policy and oversee the work of the administration staff within the mortgage world.
Heron was deputy chairman of the CML in 2009, which was incorporated into UK Finance in July.
He has held various role at both IMLA and the CML since the early 1990s.
Paul Smee, UK Finance’s head of mortgages, said: “John Heron is well known throughout the sector for his service to industry bodies, and UK Finance is privileged to be in a position to draw on his energy and expertise.”
Heron paid tribute to IMLA executive director Peter Williams, who is stepping down at the end of 2017 to be replaced by another experienced head in Kate Davies, formerly of the CML and the Building Societies Association.
Heron added: “It’s a significant time of change and development for IMLA, with executive director Peter Williams stepping down after 10 years.
“Those years encompassed some significant changes to say the least in the financial services market and mortgage lending in particular.
“I think he’s done an outstanding job of steering the organisation through challenging times – he’s been an outstanding director.
“Kate Davies is also a very good appointment.”
