Masthaven Secured Loans is set to launch into the secured loans market in the Spring.

Stuart Aitken is the company’s new chief operating officer (COO) and will head up the operation.

He joins from consultancy Exogene Ltd but has also been COO of Concert Mortgages and director of credit at Southern Pacific Mortgage Ltd (SPML).

Aitken said: “I am thrilled to have this exciting opportunity to build a new secured lender founded on Masthaven’s excellent existing reputation.””