Openwork has announced that John Cupis has now joined the network as mortgage director.

Cupis, whose appointment was announced in September 2015, assumes responsibility for running and developing the network’s mortgage, protection and general insurance proposition.

He joins Openwork from Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG), where he had been managing director of mortgages for eight years. Prior to joining SBG, Cupis worked at Legal & General where he fulfilled various senior roles within the business including mortgage propositions director.

Openwork and Zurich recently signed an agreement that will see the insurer divest its 25% shareholding in the network within four years.

Mark Duckworth, chief executive officer of Openwork, said: “Openwork has gone from strength to strength in recent years and John’s arrival will be pivotal to the ongoing development of our growing mortgage business.”

Cupis added: “Openwork is already one of the biggest mortgage businesses in the UK and it has the clear potential to grow even further. I am excited by the prospect of building on the great foundations already in place and, in the wake of Openwork’s ownership agreement with Zurich, delighted to work for a business that offers joiners not only great deals and service, but part-ownership of the network.”