Second charge mortgage lender, Optimum Credit, has bolstered its sales team with the addition of Matthew Batte as business development manager (BDM) for the South.

Batte (pictured), who has previously worked at Optimum Credit, has more than 14 years’ experience in the industry and joins from Shawbrook Bank, where he was a senior relationship manager.

He will work with brokers in the South of the country to help meet their clients’ capital raising requirements. Optimum Credit offers a range of variable, fixed and discounted second charge mortgages from £5,000 to £1m, and all rates are based on the individual and personal circumstances of the customer.

Optimum Credit was purchased by Pepper Money in October 2018, and there are plans to operate the second charge lender under the Pepper Money umbrella in the near future.

Simon Mules, commercial director at Optimum Credit, said: “I’d like to welcome Matthew back to Optimum Credit. He has a great pedigree in second charge lending and will be a huge asset to our business and brokers. We continue to lead the way in this market, and we have ambitious growth plans for the business as part of the Pepper Money group.”

Batte added: “It’s clearly a very exciting time to be joining Optimum Credit. Not only has the lender bounced back from the pandemic, but the closer collaboration with Pepper Money will open up new opportunities for brokers and customers.”