Digital mortgage broker Habito has bolstered its protection business with the appointment of Britney Trussler.

Trussler (pictured), who joins from Dynamo, is the latest addition to the fintech’s expanding advice team. She is known for her strong customer outcomes and technical specialism, and previously worked under Ying Tan, chief executive of Habito, who praised her as “smart, driven, and genuinely” committed to client needs.

Tan (pictured) described Trussler’s appointment as a signal of intent as Habito ramps up its focus on protection advice. “We’re still in the embryonic stage of building our protection team,” he said.

“But the ambition is clear: to create a team of the very best protection advisers in the industry and Britney is exactly that. I couldn’t be happier to have her on board as we scale.”

POWERHOUSE PLANS

Habito is seeking to build what it calls a “powerhouse” of protection advisers, complementing its wider mortgage and compliance proposition. Further hires are expected in the coming months, including across mortgage advice, technology and operations.

Trussler said: “Joining Habito at such a pivotal stage is an incredible opportunity. I’m passionate about helping people make informed, confident choices when it comes to protecting what matters most.

“With Habito’s technology, values, and ambition, we’ve got everything we need to build something extraordinary – and I’m thrilled to be part of it.”

The move forms part of a broader push by the London-based firm to expand its homeownership platform, with increasing investment in both headcount and infrastructure.

COMPLIANCE HIRE

It follows the recent appointment of Karen Vandepeear to the compliance team. Vandepeear brings more than 10 years’ experience from Mortgage Advice Bureau and First Mortgage and is expected to play a key role in supporting Habito’s regulatory framework as it scales.