New bank adds non-executive director; specialist lender and mutual expand sales teams
Mortgage lenders Afin Bank, Foundation Home Loans, and Suffolk Building Society have announced new appointments to bolster their respective teams.
Afin Bank has appointed David Kenmir (pictured far left) as an independent non-executive director as it prepares for a full launch next year.
With over three decades of experience in financial services, Kenmir has held senior roles at the Financial Services Authority (FSA) — the precursor to the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) — and PwC, where he specialised in conduct and regulatory compliance. Kenmir’s expertise will be pivotal for Afin Bank, a digital lender targeting foreign nationals, including the 1.5 million African residents in the UK, as well as high-net-worth and self-employed borrowers.
Backed by a £60 million investment from WAICA Reinsurance Corporation, the bank recently secured an authorisation with restrictions (AwR) licence. It plans to offer residential and buy-to-let mortgages through brokers and community partnerships, alongside FSCS-protected savings products.
Meanwhile, specialist lender Foundation Home Loans has announced the return of David Wheatley (pictured second from left) as regional account manager for its Solutions by Foundation brand, which caters to complex buy-to-let borrowers.
Wheatley, who brings nearly a decade of experience, will manage advisory firm relationships and support brokers offering semi-commercial mortgages, complex HMOs, and properties with multiple titles.
Elsewhere, Suffolk Building Society has extended its telephone business development manager (BDM) coverage to additional regions, aiming to enhance broker support.
Brokers in the North and North East will now be served by Carly Scholes (pictured second from right), while those in Greater London and the South East gain access to Beth Hillman’s (pictured far right) expertise. Both BDMs bring years of industry experience, with backgrounds in brokering and case management.
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