The Connells Group has become a member of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI).

Connells currently has nearly 500 mortgage consultants operating nationwide and recorded a 32% increase in mortgage sales in the first four months of the year compared to the same period in 2011.

“Now is a great time for the Connells Group to join AMI so we are delighted to become members of this body which represents mortgage intermediaries,” says Adrian Scott, mortgage services director, Connells Group.

“Over the last two years, we have invested in and significantly increased the size of our mortgage business. We now wish to lend this strength to an organisation which represents intermediaries and is at the forefront of debate on the mortgage market.

“With various regulatory changes taking place and increasing interference from Europe, it is essential the intermediary profession is strongly represented by a body which will protect its interests. We believe Robert Sinclair and his team at AMI are well positioned to do that.”

Robert Sinclair, director of AMI, said: “The addition of Connells to membership firmly cements the right of AMI to talk on behalf of the broker community. With the challenges ahead in the economy and with European and UK regulation, it is essential that AMI remains a representative and democratic voice.

“With the vast majority of the industry in membership this is a voice that must be listened to. The experience of the Connells Group will add to our internal debate and ability to articulate the issues.”