Countrywide plc has appointed Peter Curran to its financial services division, effective from 1 June 2015.

Curran (pictured) joins from Lloyds Banking Group where he was director of strategic partnership management and accounts.

He will report directly to Nigel Stockton, Countrywide’s financial services director at plc, to develop its growth plans.

Stockton said: “Peter will add significantly to Countrywide’s capability in financial services. We are delighted to have a career professional with over 20 years experience of the banking industry, and it is further evidence of the importance we place on the relationship we have with the sector.

“We remain focussed on working with the leading banks and financial services brands in the UK to bring improved products and services to the market. Peter brings considerable experience and expertise to add to our growing financial services business.”

Mike Jones, director of intermediaries and managing director of Scottish Widows Bank plc, said: “Peter has been with the Group for over 20 years in a variety of roles and has played, in the last 10, an integral part in the success of our mortgage business. Peter has been a particularly influential in the development of the UK mortgage market through the recession and in its rapid recovery since. He has shown significant leadership internally and externally and been key to designing, implementing and leading our mortgage strategy over this time.

“Peter will be leaving the business on 30 April and I am pleased to confirm that Ian Wilson, currently head of Halifax Intermediary, will act as interim director of strategic partnerships pending confirmation of a permanent solution.”