E4 Strategic has appointed Jackie Bennett OBE as a non-executive director.
The move comes as the company continues to grow its UK presence and expand the reach of its VERSA digital workflow platform, which aims to modernise how lenders and conveyancers work together.
Bennett (pictured) has spent almost 25 years shaping mortgage and housing policy, holding senior roles at the Council of Mortgage Lenders and later UK Finance, where she was director of mortgages. She was awarded an OBE in 2010 for services to financial services during the 2008–10 financial crisis, recognising her work supporting homeowners and lenders through a period of extreme market turbulence.
She currently chairs the Bank of England’s Residential Property Forum and is a non-executive director on the New Homes Quality Board.
At e4 Strategic, Bennett will advise on governance, policy and industry engagement as the company scales its operations and promotes adoption of VERSA. Developed in the UK over the past four years, the platform has been created in collaboration with leading lenders and conveyancing professionals and builds on more than two decades of experience in the South African market.
Simon Slater, chief executive of e4 Strategic, said: “Jackie brings a rare combination of years of experience in the mortgage market plus practical policy insights, governance knowledge and a deep understanding of the market particularly in relation to mortgage lenders.
“She is very well known and respected across the industry so it’s a real privilege to have her join us. She has helped shape the industry’s approach to regulation, risk and consumer outcomes, and her perspective will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our partnerships across the industry.
“She loves the e4 story and we’re delighted to welcome Jackie to the board as we enter our next phase of growth.”
Bennett said: “e4 Strategic’s work with VERSA represents the kind of innovation the industry has been calling for – connecting lenders and conveyancers through modern, collaborative technology.
“I’ve spent much of my career focused on improving processes and outcomes for consumers, so I’m excited to be part of a business that’s so passionate about tackling long-standing challenges in such a practical and forward-thinking way.”
