Market Harborough Building Society has appointed Iain Smith as its head of distribution.

In his new role, Smith (pictured) will take responsibility for delivering continued growth and to provide strategic leadership to the mortgage sales teams.

With many years’ experience in both the banking and mutual sectors, he has helped establish lenders’ broker subsidiaries like Accord and has also developed and led large sales teams. He joins Market Harborough from the State Bank of India, where he was head of intermediaries and before that, he held senior positions at both the Bank of Ireland and Yorkshire Building Society.

Smith said: “Market Harborough Building Society is an ambitious and forward-thinking lender with a passionate commitment to mutuality. I know what a valuable role building societies play when it comes to putting customers first and through its Thrive Agenda, Market Harborough is leading the way with a single-minded focus on supporting its brokers, members, colleagues and the community.

“I’m joining a talented, driven team and can’t wait to help them build on their current success. I look forward to further growing Market Harborough’s mortgage business by adding my experience of what brokers and clients want from a specialist lender and making it even easier for them to work with us.”

Iain Kirkpatrick, Market Harborough Building Society’s chief executive, added: “Iain has a wealth of experience and I’m excited about the new thinking he’ll bring to the Society. We genuinely care about offering outstanding service and making decisions that are right for our partners – as demonstrated by our minimum 24-hour product withdrawal guarantee. Part of Iain’s role is to deliver broker-focused initiatives and help even more clients secure the right mortgage.”