Stuart Heavens has been appointed as business development manager (BDM) at the Family Building Society.

His role covers the South Coast, from Dorchester in Dorset to Brighton in Sussex.

Heavens joins from Catalyst Property Finance, where he was intermediary relationship manager. Prior to that Heavens, who has some 15 years’ experience in the lending and mortgage market, spent eight years at the Nationwide, before joining Countrywide and then Leeds Building Society.

Darren Deacon, head of intermediary sales at the Family Building Society, said: “We are delighted that Stuart has joined our growing team of BDMs. Intermediaries are very important to the Society. Building and retaining relationships with them is critical and communication channels between lender and borrower are more vital than ever in these uncertain times. Stuart is a refreshing new member of our team of BDMs which are the key link in this chain.

“Stuart has taken over this position from Michelle Bunter, who has moved to a new intermediary support role in the Society. Michelle has paved the way for Stuart and he has hit the ground running.”

Heavens added: “This is an exciting challenge for me and I am very pleased to be joining such an innovative and forward looking building society, covering an interesting and beautiful part of the country.”