Lifetime mortgage lender Pure Retirement has reinforced its adviser proposition with the appointment of a new business development manager alongside the introduction of enhanced support tools.

Natasha Phillips (pictured) has joined the intermediary sales team as field-based business development manager for London and the South East.

She brings a decade of experience in financial services, having started her career in a lifetime mortgage contact centre before progressing through roles in account management, strategic support and business development.

Her appointment adds to the lender’s existing network of regional BDMs, providing face-to-face support to advisers nationwide.

ENHANCED PROCESSES FOR ADVISERS

The new hire comes as Pure Retirement has strengthened its processes to make case placement smoother. The lender has introduced a pre-application check service, allowing advisers to discuss cases with telephone BDMs before submission to ensure eligibility against criteria and flood zoning requirements. The aim is to reduce the likelihood of declines.

In addition, a simplified online plan review process has been launched. Using a single form and automated system, advisers can now more easily establish the status of a client’s lifetime mortgage and assess the potential for further borrowing.

Speaking on her appointment, Phillips said she was looking forward to “building and nurturing strong relationships with advisers, with a focus on achieving the best outcomes for their clients”.

Head of distribution Scott Burman welcomed her to the team, adding: “She joins at a time of continuing service improvements, which have culminated in the rolling out of new initiatives such as pre-application checks and online plan review tools, and we’re glad to be consistently enhancing our service provision.”