Hanley Economic, Furness, and SDKA also boost their workforces
The Conveyancing Association (CA), the representative body for the conveyancing industry, has announced the appointment of two new directors to its board.
Rhodri Howells, head of legal practice at Sort Legal, and Samantha Strong, head of conveyancing and head of legal practice at Eden Conveyancing, have joined the CA Board. Their appointments were ratified at the organisation’s recent annual general meeting.
“We’re very pleased to be able to welcome both Rhodri and Samantha to the CA board,” said Nicky Heathcote, non-executive chair of The Conveyancing Association. “Their appointments reflect the high calibre of professionals we are fortunate to attract and the importance we place on maintaining a strong, experienced leadership team to help guide the association’s direction.
“Both bring with them a wealth of practical experience and strategic insight from across the conveyancing sector. Their involvement will be key as we continue to strengthen the support we offer to members, whether that’s through improving the home moving process, providing day-to-day business assistance, offering learning and development opportunities, or representing our members at the highest levels.”
Meanwhile, Hanley Economic Building Society has created a new role of commercial director, naming Samantha Ward to the post. Ward brings nearly 25 years of financial services experience, including senior roles at Dudley Building Society and LiveMore Capital.
At Hanley Economic, she will oversee marketing, products and sales, and focus on commercial strategy and relationships within the intermediary market. The Staffordshire-based mutual has over 20,000 members and operates seven branches across the region.
Furness Building Society has also expanded its mortgage team with the appointment of Helen Thistlethwaite as business development manager within its intermediaries mortgage division. Based in Morecambe, Thistlethwaite will work with brokers across the North and Scotland.
She previously held a similar role at Penrith Building Society and has experience as both a mortgage broker and financial adviser.
Meanwhile, bridging lender SDKA has added Chris Simpson to its underwriting team. Simpson, who previously held underwriting and property sector roles at Together, Sequence, and Countrywide, will liaise with brokers, applicants, surveyors and legal professionals to manage applications. He becomes the sixth member of the underwriting team and reports to head of underwriting, Chris Edwards.
SDKA lends on residential, semi-commercial and commercial properties across England, Scotland and Wales.
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