Crystal Mortgages has promoted Joe Breeden to the position of managing director.

Breeden (pictured) initially joined the business in 2010 when sub-contracted by MBC Accountants as a corporate finance & strategy consultant, before joining the board full-time in 2011 as operations director.

During his time, Crystal Mortgages has achieved year-on-year growth and recently announced 2013 as its best financial year in the company’s 35-year trading history with terms issued on £479m worth of applications. The figure is 62% up on 2012 and 94% ahead of 2011.

Alongside the business’s commercial mortgage, bridging and development products, the business has also used the slowdown in the economy to launch new lines including finance for start-up and non-status clients and limited company buy-to-lets at 85% loan-to-value (LTV).

Breeden replaces Roger Dewsbery, who held the top position under the title of senior underwriter at Crystal Mortgages for over 10 years and will still retain a key board level role within the company. Andrea Dewsbery remains as Chairman.

Breeden said: “It is an honour and a privilege to take the reigns at Crystal Mortgages at a very important time in the company’s development.

“We have grown at a unparalleled rate since 2010, but the strategic growth goals remain realistic and these will be realised through excellent customer services, reliable and flexible relationships with our partners and the release of sought after products in what remains a tough lending environment.

“As has always been the case every application will be singularly assessed by a knowledgeable financial adviser to improve approval numbers, and this thoroughness will help enable a shift in attitudes whereby SMEs call on a specialist distributer, with a whole of market panel, before their high street banks.”