Mark Wilkinson has been promoted to national sales manager at Newcastle Intermediaries following three years as its business development manager for the North East and Scotland.

With 15 years’ experience in financial services, Wilkinson (pictured) has previously worked in branch as well as the intermediary and specialist lending markets for Newcastle Building Society, Pepper Money and Virgin Money.

In his new role, his focus will be to manage a growing Newcastle Intermediaries’ business development team and enhance its broker proposition throughout the UK.

Wilkinson said: “Our business development managers combine decades of experience with an acute knowledge of the intermediary lending market, while delivering an exceptional service which meets the requirements of brokers and their clients.

“I’m excited at the opportunity to oversee such a skilled team and I look forward to leading them as we continue to drive growth in the intermediary mortgage market.”

Franco Di Pietro, head of Intermediary mortgages at Newcastle Building Society, added: “We are thrilled to witness Mark progress within our intermediary arm. Having built long-term relationships with brokers and their clients, Mark has already proved himself a valuable asset as we look to strengthen our commitment to our intermediary partners.”