Hodge has appointed Stuart Benge as its senior business development manager (BDM) for commercial lending.

Benge (pictured) has over 25 years of finance sector experience, having previously worked with N&P Commercial and Assetz Capital, among others.

He is tasked with drawing on his background in commercial sales and extensive experience working as a national sales manager/relationship director to further Hodge’s presence in the investment property sector on a national scale.

Benge said: “The focus at Hodge is very much on the customer – it’s a part of everything it does. I’m a proactive person and delighted Hodge operates, both internally and externally, in a collaborative manner.

“It’s important for property professionals to have a relationship with a lender who not only understands the market, but also appreciates what’s affecting them on a day-to-day basis while providing them with a mutually beneficial long-term relationship.

“The focus of my role with Hodge involves me meeting both intermediaries and customers throughout the UK drawing on my experience of working in a variety of trusted roles – to ensure all parties achieve their goals in the most efficient and cost effective way, while never losing focus of building a relationship that will stand the test of time.”

Andy Button, head of investment lending at Hodge, added: “We’re really excited to be welcoming Stuart to Hodge. His experience in nurturing new and existing customer relations on a national scale is set to be of huge benefit to our Commercial Lending operation.

“Stuart’s arrival represents opportunities for further growth in a multitude of areas, and we’re really delighted to have him on board.”