Afin Bank has appointed two senior business development managers as it continues to build out its sales capability in 2026.

Debbie Lavender and John Smith have joined the specialist lender as part of a push to support growing broker demand across the UK.

Lavender (main picture) joins Afin from Partners Wealth Management, where she worked as a specialist mortgage broker.

She will be responsible for broker relationships across the Midlands and the North.

Smith joins from digital lender Molo and will cover the South.

Both take up the role of senior business development manager and bring extensive experience across mortgages and wider financial services, including areas that align closely with Afin Bank’s focus on lending to foreign nationals and high-net-worth borrowers.

Lavender has previously worked as an adviser with NatWest, Lloyds and Santander, as well as in a wealth advisory capacity. She said her customer-facing background would be central to her new role.

She said: “As a broker you always need to think about the customer and understand the needs of the borrower, so I will bring that experience to my new role. We are helping people who want a house, who want a home of their own.

“These are people who are contributing to the UK, such as health workers and the self-employed. Why should they be forced to rent?

“Afin is a small but growing organisation, so there is still the personal touch, which I really like. We can get around a table and discuss a case, and I love how motivated and keen people in the team are.”

Smith has previously worked with The Co-operative Banking Group and held roles at specialist lenders Bluestone and Masthaven Bank during their launch phases.

He said: “I like being there at the beginning of a new lender, as opposed to being a small part of a very big bank. I get to help shape the proposition and work closely with new and existing brokers, which is vital in helping Afin grow.

“I love what Afin stands for, and I have always focused on solutions, helping brokers find the right mortgages for their customers. My experience of supporting other underserved customers, such as foreign nationals, will be helpful in my new role.”

Jason Oakley, chief executive of Afin Bank, said the appointments reflected strong early interest in the lender.

He said: “Interest in Afin has been incredible, and we are only six months into our journey, but we are ambitious and want to help more customers.

“Having people of the calibre of Debbie and John means we can work with even more brokers and help more underserved borrowers get the mortgages they deserve.”

Afin Bank focuses on supporting borrowers who may struggle to access mortgages because of their circumstances, including high-net-worth individuals, overseas nationals living and working in the UK on valid work visas, the self-employed and qualified professionals.