Accord Mortgages has announced a significant reshaping of its leadership structure as part of a drive to enhance its long-term service proposition to brokers and their clients.
The intermediary-only lender has expanded its leadership team from eight to 10 members, introducing two new senior roles. The restructure is intended to increase efficiency and consistency across the business, while maintaining the standards of support that Accord is known for in the intermediary mortgage market.
Under the new structure, three senior managers will now take charge of three key business areas, each reporting directly to managing director Jeremy Duncombe.
Chris Hill, previously senior manager for intermediary distribution, has been appointed head of sales. He will focus on improving operational performance and strengthening relationships with brokers. Nick Piper, who was senior manager for governance and strategy, has taken on the role of head of strategy, governance and management information, with an emphasis on improving broker journeys and internal efficiencies.
Nicola Alvarez, previously responsible for mortgage distribution and proposition development, now becomes head of strategic partnerships and propositions. Her remit includes oversight of relationships with mortgage clubs and networks, and further development of Accord’s intermediary propositions.
Joining Accord from Lloyds Banking Group is Caroline Mills, who brings more than two decades of experience to her new role as team manager, intermediary distribution. She will manage a team of business development advisors and lead the lender’s retail broker programme, aimed at fostering closer collaboration between Accord and Yorkshire Building Society’s branch network.
Elsewhere in the reshuffle, Gurpreet Chahal moves from his former position as corporate account manager to become regional sales manager for London and the South-East. His new role will see him lead a team of business development managers, working closely with brokers in the region to support business growth.
Angelika Christian has been promoted from her previous BDM role to strategic partnerships and propositions manager, tasked with developing relationships with mortgage clubs and networks while also enhancing the lender’s product offering.
Jeremy Duncombe, managing director of Accord Mortgages, said the changes had been made to secure the business’s long-term position as a leading intermediary lender.
“I’m delighted to announce the restructure of my leadership team which will allow us to deliver even better support for our brokers, and our mortgage clubs and networks,” he said.
“These changes add to the already strong leadership team which includes Andrew Calder, Iain Cunningham, Chris Sanderson and Claire Chick, who continue in their same leadership roles.
“We know from broker feedback that the propositions, service and efficient processes we are known for are highly valued. However, we are constantly looking for new opportunities to further enhance our offerings as a leading intermediary lender, and these changes are designed to future-proof our business.
“Establishing clear ownership for each of our key business areas will ensure we deliver our ambitious long-term strategy and provide the best possible support for the intermediary market as we move forward.”
