Specialist Financial Services (SFS) has announced the appointment of Darren Grace as its new operations manager.

He will assist with the continued expansion of its second charge loan operation to its network of business partners and introducers.

Grace was previously a director at needaloan.co.uk for six years.

Tony Sutton, managing director of Specialist Financial Services, said: “I am delighted to capture someone of Darren’s experience and undoubted ability. Having had many years’ experience of running his own brokerage, which included being the provider of second charge loans to Personal Touch, he is the perfect fit to take us forward in these exciting times for the second charge industry.”

Grace added: “I’m excited to be part of the growing team at a time when the industry is undoubtedly facing many challenges from FCA regulation.

“I’m looking forward to working in a more entrepreneurial environment and building the secured loan arm of business, allowing us to offer a trusted experienced department for intermediaries to introduce business.”