Key management appointments at Commercial First Mortgages

The appointments enable CFM to continue its rapid growth, strengthen its business development team – and provide an infrastructure that is capable of sustaining a dynamic lending business throughout the next 18 months and beyond.

Tim Theobald joins CFM as the company’s Group Financial Controller. Previously he held a similar role at igroup, the GE Capital-owned residential mortgage lending company. Theobald’s role sees him reunited with former igroup colleagues Keith Millward (finance director) and Anuj Nehra (head of securitisation).

“Tim is a proven operator, has great experience of the financial services industry and the securitisation process alike,” commented Keith Millward. “I am delighted he has chosen to come on board. I now have a quality team in place that will lead our first-ever securitisation. It’s great to have someone of Tim’s calibre working alongside Anuj Nehra and myself.”

John Barber will shortly join CFM as its new Operations Manager from Homeloan Management (HLM), the third party mortgage administration arm of the Skipton Building Society. Barber worked as a departmental head at HLM since 1994. Prior to joining HLM, he was a customer administrator for the National Provincial Building Society.

“An intimate understanding of the disciplines we need to impose on our servicing operation and a good head for mortgage business are two of the key qualities that John brings to the table,” commented Paul Gower, Operations director of CFM. “His appointment is a major strategic milestone for the business and we’re confident he is the right man for such a big job.”

Commercial First has also expanded its team of business development managers. Mark Johnson and Liz Overs join Stephen Johnson’s team with immediate effect with a brief to lead the assault on the mortgage intermediary community across the UK.

Mark Johnson joins CFM as it BDM in the South West from Bristol & West, where he was one of the company’s national account managers. Prior to this he served as a business development manager with Mortgage Force for 12 months, and for 11 years he worked for the Portman Building Society as a Corporate Accounts Manager.

“Mark has worked in all aspects of the finance industry – from being an IFA to selling commercial business mortgages. He has got precisely the kind of interpersonal and business skills that we’re looking for,” commented Stephen Johnson.

Liz Overs joins from E-Serve Chartered Surveyors, where she was a business development manager for four years.

“We’ve taken Liz on board because she is a great ambassador for our business,” explained Stephen Johnson. “After four years with E-Serve, she has established a great rapport with many brokers in the introducer community. She has great energy, commitment and enthusiasm.”

Stephen Johnson added: “We remain committed to delivering the highest possible service standards and will continue to add quality people to the team”