NatWest Intermediary Solutions has hired Alan Hanks as the new field-based business development manager (BDM) for the West End of London and Surrey.

Hanks spent the last two years providing mortgage advice in the bank’s Private Client business. Previous to working at NatWest, he spent three years as a financial adviser with Halifax, and 10 years as an independent mortgage broker.

He report directly to Paula Dillin, who has recently been appointed area sales manager for London and the South East.

Meanwhile, Rachel Plane has joined the intermediary team as a phone BDM. She has been with the bank for 15 years and has gained a wealth of experience from roles in branch and direct with customers. The first three years of her career were spent in branch and then from 2004 to 2014 she worked in a number of roles in the mortgage processing business. For the last 14 months she has been a phone-based personal mortgage adviser.

Paul Kane, acting head of sales at NatWest Intermediary Solutions, said: “I am delighted that Alan has joined the team. He is particularly passionate about mortgages which should please the brokers he’ll be working with.

“We have been working hard to recruit a top quality individual to work in this specific geographical area so are really pleased to have found someone so well-suited who really understands the requirements of brokers’ customers.

“And with Rachel joining our phone BDM team we have someone who is hugely knowledgeable about the whole mortgage buying process and, having advised customers directly, is well placed to recognise the needs of her broker panel.”