Stockton’s appointment to financial services director comes just three months after he joined the national broker as financial services development director from Lloyds Banking Group, where he was sales director of mortgages.
Snowball will work beside Stockton for the next few weeks and hand over the running of Countrywide’s mortgage and insurance services. Stockton will report directly to Grenville Turner, CEO.
Stockton said: “I am very pleased to be leading the financial services division which has thrived under Alan’s careful stewardship. I also look forward to working with him during his handover and to building the business and deepening our corporate and lender relationships through 2011. He’s done a marvellous job and leaves a very well managed business for me to pick up.”
Snowball’s retirement from Countrywide comes after 20 years in the mortgage industry and a total 40 years in the wider property industry.
Speaking to Mortgage Introducer Snowball said he was planning to keep his hand in both the mortgage and property markets by taking on some non-executive roles when the opportunity arose.
“I might improve my golf handicap," he said, "But I won’t stop being active in the mortgage industry."
After qualifying as a chartered surveyor Snowball made a career in private practice before becoming a director of Prudential Property Services in 1987 and then a director of Halifax Estate Agencies in 1990. He joined Countrywide in 1998 to set up a franchising operation before moving to the financial services division in 2005 to oversee the firm’s mortgage and insurance offering.
David Finlay, intermediary business director at Barclays, said: “Alan is someone who will be sadly missed by his lender partner associates. I wish him very well in his retirement. Nigel has some big shoes to fill which I’m sure he’ll do admirably.”
Peter Curran, head of intermediary distribution at Lloyds Banking Group, was also quick to praise. He said: “I've always really enjoyed working with Alan - his efforts in building and strengthening the great relationship between Lloyds Banking Group and Countrywide have been fantastic. His commitment, knowledge and professionalism will be missed - and I wish him all the best in the future."
Abbey for Intermediaries' Adrian Whittaker, key accounts director, added: “I’ve worked very closely with Alan for more than eight years, and he will be sorely missed. During his time in the industry he has played a key role in strengthening relationships between lenders and distributors and I want to wish him all the best for the future."
Grenville Turner, group chief executive of Countrywide, said: “Alan leaves a strong legacy behind and has had a pivotal role in Countrywide for the last 12 years. Alan’s passion and detailed understanding of financial services has driven almost two years of continuous market share growth during unprecedented market conditions.
“Under Alan’s leadership, our financial services operation is growing significantly in profitability and has launched a number of industry innovations, which Nigel will build upon. A detailed handover is already underway during what looks set to be an extremely exciting period for Countrywide.”
