IMLA confirmed at the AGM that John Heron, Paragon Group director of mortgages, has been re-elected chairman for the 2011/2012 year, which runs from 1 December to 30 November, with Tony Ward, chief executive of Home Funding, re-elected in the role of deputy chairman. Peter Williams remains executive director.
New directors include managing director of Aldermore Mortgages, Charles Haresnape, Northern Rock head of sales Richard Tugwell and intermediary managing director at Barclays, David Finlay.
Commenting Peter Williams, IMLA executive director, said: “We are proud of IMLA’s unique position as an organisation for lenders run by lenders.
“All 20 members have a representative at the meetings and can be nominated for the five director positions including the chairman.
“The considerable efforts expended by the directors in these voluntary roles benefit the industry as a whole and the UK housing market, rather than the individual member.
“With this in mind particular thanks to outgoing directors Alan Cleary and Kevin Purvey for their thoughtful and valued contribution across the year.”
During 2011 IMLA has pursued proactive engagement with regulators and policymakers in the UK and in Brussels. This has helped members with their understanding of the policy objectives in these areas but perhaps more importantly for members to provide policy makers with real life, front-line experience in the mortgage market, with the aim of getting better designed policy and regulation.
Peter Williams added: “We have made significant strides this year with members developing a range of new solutions for owner-occupiers, buy-to-let landlords and for those who have experienced some economic hardship.
“We are proud of what IMLA members have achieved, despite continuing difficulties in the market, they continue to deliver value to consumers and innovation, helping provide access to home-ownership for those who may have struggled to buy and providing landlords with the finance to buy homes for rent for those who cannot or do not wish to buy.
“Looking ahead many challenges remain for IMLA, some confidence has returned to the market but consumers remain very nervous, we are yet to see the output of the MMR and the Government’s autumn statement on housing policy, we are also rightly concerned about the EU dimension and the potential the directive has to derail the progress the FSA has made and introduce a new level of uncertainty and cost.”
