Software provider names new COO; network adds national recruitment manager
Business processing and software provider Target Group and mortgage and protection network Stonebridge have announced appointments aimed at enhancing their service offerings and driving growth.
Target Group has promoted Katie Pender (pictured left) to chief operating officer.
Pender, who joined Target in 2019, previously served as managing director of Elderbridge, a regulated lender and subsidiary of Target Group. Her expertise in the mortgage market and experience in regulated services and originations have been instrumental in developing Target’s mortgage originations solution, Mortgage Hub.
In her new role, Pender will focus on building strategic relationships with existing clients and driving new business growth. She will also mobilise teams and solutions, such as Mortgage Hub, to enhance customer outcomes.
“I am incredibly proud to play my part in what has been a transformational period for the business,” Pender said. “It is a real privilege to continue in my career with Target as COO.”
Meanwhile, Stonebridge, has appointed Oliver Couchman (pictured right) as national recruitment manager.
Couchman, who has extensive experience across major life companies, national wealth businesses, and large UK networks, joins Stonebridge from Primis, where he served as regional sales director. He will report directly to Lesley Sharkey, recruitment and growth director.
Stonebridge said the recent appointment of Couchman aligns with its growth strategy and follows the hiring of Daniel Darby as protection account manager. The Essex-based company employs over 150 people to support broker firms across the UK.
Couchman’s role will be pivotal in expanding the appointed representative (AR) recruitment team and supporting adviser recruitment for individual AR firms.
“I have long admired Stonebridge,” Couchman said. “The business’s pragmatic, can-do approach shines through; they want to work with firms in positive ways to help them evolve and grow.
“That positive mentality is very refreshing! Safe to say, I am excited about what we’re going to achieve together.”
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