16 lenders have been added to the mortgage network’s lending panel, bringing the total number of lenders available to 34. The network also has access to over 70 exclusives including Bristol & West’s First Start mortgage. This, coupled with benefits such as free access to mortgage sourcing software, will it said ‘give intermediaries access to the leading players in the mortgage market’.
Kevin Pearce, director of distributor propositions at Zurich, which entered the mortgage market in 2002, said: “Our aim is to develop a truly integrated mortgage and protection proposition and we are now well on the way to delivering what the market demands.
“We recognise our mortgage offering attracts a specific population and have modelled our panel, products and services to appeal to this audience. We are confident that our mortgage proposition will provide an increasingly competitive option for IFAs.”
Zurich has also announced the appointment of a UK marketing director. Mark Searles, formerly marketing and group brand director at Lloyds TSB, will be responsible for developing an integrated approach to marketing across all business lines in the UK as well as being involved in global brand development.
Ian Stuart, chief executive officer at Zurich Financial Services, commented: “Technical expertise is essential to all insurance profess-ionals but an understanding of the customer and the way they think and speak is equally important.
“Mark brings a fund of expertise to his role which I believe is pivotal in helping us reach customers and attain our goal of becoming a leading insurer in our chosen markets.” Searles added: “This is a tremendous opportunity to leverage the Zurich brand to help drive the business in the UK
