The Association of Finance Brokers, the trade body for second mortgage professionals, will now have a permanent seat on the board of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI).

This completes the work over the last year to broaden AMI’s mortgage representation.

Robert Sinclair, chief executive, said: “The AFB membership has been conducting a contested election and I am delighted to advise that Marie Grundy of V Loans, based in Wilmslow in Cheshire, has won that election. Marie will be attending the next AMI Board meeting on Thursday 16th May.

“Her role is to ensure the crucial role played by the second charge industry is understood and represented. This will ensure that the issues faced by finance brokers are considered and reflected in key debates.

“The AFB is here to make sense of changes occurring in the industry and give interpretation, leadership and guidance. We will continue to hold regular AFB member meetings to understand the issues facing the sector and ensure all regulators hear first-hand the key messages. We urge all non-members to sign up to get their voice heard. A strong and effective trade body needs support from all parts of the industry in order to deliver improved standards.”