LendInvest Mortgages has promoted two senior executives to managing director roles as the fintech lender seeks to accelerate its growth.

Leanne Ardron (main pictured) has been appointed managing director of short-term lending, while Steve Larkin becomes managing director of development finance. Both will also join the company’s senior leadership team.

The promotions come as LendInvest’s loan book, via its bank, surpassed £10 billion in 2024, reflecting strong demand for bridging, bridge-to-let and development finance products. Ardron and Larkin, who were previously heads of bridging and development finance respectively, will now lead the company’s ambitions in these critical sectors.

Ardron has been with LendInvest since its inception in 2013, holding a number of roles including director of operations and sales director across bridging, development and buy-to-let products. Most recently she served as head of bridging, a position that included a seat on the senior leadership team.

Larkin joined the company in 2015 and has overseen the financing of development projects across England, Wales and Scotland. His new role will see him manage the expansion of development finance offerings, supporting a wide range of schemes from new builds to refurbishments and conversions.

Ardron said: “I am absolutely thrilled to take on the title of managing director for short-term lending at LendInvest. This promotion comes at a special time for me, as it coincides with celebrating my 13th year at the company.

“Bridging loans have always been LendInvest’s ‘bread and butter,’ and in a time where more property investors are seeing the value in short-term lending, I look forward to leading the charge when it comes to supporting our customers through our product propositions and ensuring that our processes keep up with today’s fast-paced lending environment.”

Larkin added: “I am delighted to have been promoted to managing director of development finance and to be joining the senior leadership team at LendInvest.

“Our sector has a massive opportunity to play an integral part in building houses for the future and LendInvest can play its own part in allocating important funding to SME property developers. I’m also looking forward to helping drive the strategic direction of the wider business as we continue to move ahead with our own plans across our various lending platforms.”

Rod Lockhart, chief executive at LendInvest, welcomed the appointments and said the promotions would support the company’s plans to return to profitability while expanding its lending activity.

“Bridging loans are a critical financial tool, empowering thousands of SME property developers across the country to drive the UK’s delivery of high-quality homes — enabling them to move quickly to secure opportunities and retrofit existing properties,” Lockhart said. “The appointment of Leanne as managing director for bridging recognises not only her unrivalled experience and leadership in this sector, but also the pivotal role bridging finance will play in LendInvest’s future as we pivot back to profitability and accelerate our lending.

“In parallel with the UK government’s renewed commitment to new housing, we see significant growth potential for our development finance products. To support this, we have promoted Steve to managing director of development and welcomed him to our senior leadership team alongside Leanne. Steve’s deep expertise in property development will be instrumental as we continue to expand our offering and strengthen our position as a leading lender in this space.”