Blight to become IMLA chairman

Stemming from its annual general meeting, the appointments are as follows:

• Godfrey Blight, managing director, sales & marketing, GMAC-RFC Limited, becomes chairman (currently director)
• Guy Batchelor, sales & marketing director, Lehman Brothers Mortgage Capital Business UK becomes deputy chairman (currently chairman)
• Paul Howard, director, Nationwide Specialist Lending, becomes a director
• Colin Shave, chief executive officer, GE Money Home Lending, becomes a director
• John Heron, managing director, Paragon Mortgages, remains a director

Blight commented: “I’m honoured to have been chosen by the members of IMLA to be their chairman for the coming year. These are interesting times in the mortgage industry and, now more than at any time, I believe it is important to have a strong voice representing the views of intermediary lenders as a key part of the market place.

"There will no doubt be many challenges in the year ahead and I’m pleased to have the opportunity to play an important role in the continued development of our sector.”

Outgoing chairman Guy Batchelor said: “I would like to thank the directors of IMLA for their efforts and commitment over the two years I have been chairman.

"I must also record my appreciation to Peter Williams for his hard work since he became our first executive director just over a year ago. IMLA has come a long way during this time, and I’m very pleased to hand over the chairmanship to Godfrey Blight, who has a wealth of experience in the mortgage market. I look forward to supporting him as deputy chairman for 2008.”

Godfrey Blight, Guy Batchelor, John Heron and Colin Shave also become IMLA nominees to the CML Executive Committee.