Pure Retirement has announced the appointment of Leslie Baker as its new chief technological officer (CTO).

He will focus on driving growth in the lifetime mortgage lender’s technological capabilities, allowing for greater self-sufficiency and building a foundation on which to drive future business growth.

Baker (pictured) has nearly 25 years’ experience in IT across a number of industries. This has included warehousing and logistics, CAD and other intelligent design applications, and comprehensive financial service experience via stints in the investment banking and insurance sectors.

His appointment follows on from that of Eleanor Thornhill as Pure Retirement’s new chief financial officer, who joined last month.

Baker said: “The lifetime mortgage market is becoming an increasingly mainstream facet of the wider financial services landscape, and it’s great to not only be a part of it, but to be doing so with one of the market leaders.

“There’s scope to really drive both our business and wider market growth through technology, and I look forward to helping to achieve that.”

Simon Hayton, Pure Retirement’s chief operating officer, added: “Technology is likely to be a key differentiator as the equity release sector continues to grow. As a company dedicated to using it to enhance the user journey for advisers and customers alike it’s fantastic to have someone of Leslie’s calibre joining the company and helping us to drive that side of the business.”