Adam Tyler has begun his tenure as chief executive officer of the Bridging & Development Lenders Association, marking a significant leadership transition for the specialist property finance trade body.

Tyler (pictured) brings more than 30 years’ experience in specialist property finance to the role. He previously served as chief executive of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers and later as executive chairman of the Financial Intermediary & Broker Association.

During his career, he has also held senior roles at bridging lenders and was closely involved in the creation of the Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance qualification.

Alongside his new position, Tyler is a director of a Westminster-based lobbying group and will represent the BDLA and its members in Parliament.

Tyler said: “First, I would like to say a huge thank you to Vic for everything he has done to advance the BDLA to where we are today. It’s an honour to take the helm as CEO.

“I’m now in my 21st year running a trade association for our sector, and it’s definitely a full circle moment as I was part of the original steering committee advising on the setting up of the ASTL back in 2008.

“There has been substantial growth in our industry. When I first collected data for the bridging industry in 2005, we measured the market at around £300m. The latest data from the BDLA members is closer to £14bn, which is a real credit to everyone who has been involved over that period and, as we all know, it is still growing.

“The BDLA as an association has also gone from strength to strength since 2008 and I have had the privilege in different roles to work alongside the three previous CEOs.

“I therefore have a great feeling of responsibility to our lender and associate members, and of course the wider bridging and development industry, as we navigate an ever changing and exciting lending environment full of huge opportunities for both brokers and lenders.

“Finally, in this my first message from the BDLA, it’s worth remembering that at the centre of what we are striving to achieve through the BDLA is positive outcomes for our customers from our actions.

“And we have many initiatives currently in progress with this in mind, designed to continue to grow our professionalism, our education, our standards and maintain the fantastic growth to the widest possible audience we can reach as an industry. If you would like to be part of the momentum we are achieving, please get in touch.”

The BDLA is currently closing in on 100 lender and associate members, representing a collective loan book of more than £13.7bn. The organisation plays a central role in representing the sector to stakeholders, supporting responsible lending and promoting industry standards through its Code of Conduct and education programmes.