Redwood Bank has appointed Omkar Hushing as senior underwriting manager as it continues to invest in specialist underwriting expertise alongside new lending technology.
The specialist business bank said the appointment reflects its continued focus on individual case assessment as borrowing scenarios become increasingly complex and its product range continues to expand.
Hushing (pictured) brings more than 15 years’ experience in structured and non-bank lending. His arrival also coincides with Redwood’s investment in new technology, including credit decisioning tools, designed to streamline broker and customer journeys, improve the customer experience and accelerate deal processing from application through to completion.
The lender said it remains committed to manual underwriting, with experienced underwriters assessing each application on its individual merits rather than relying solely on automated decision-making.
Hushing said: “It’s not about looking for reasons to decline a case. It’s about understanding the Bank’s risk appetite and seeing how a deal can be structured to work for both the customer and the Bank.
“It’s prioritising the borrower first and not using policies and processes as excuses or to hide behind certain things.”
He said Redwood’s approach to underwriting was one of the key reasons for joining the lender.
“Redwood is not a place where things are done a certain way just because that’s how they’ve always been done. There’s a genuine focus on improving processes and doing things better.”
Hushing also highlighted the lender’s growth ambitions and collaborative approach to lending.
“I was keen to get back into a specialist banking environment. Redwood stood out because of its ambition, its growth plans and the opportunity to contribute to the next phase of its journey.
“What has impressed me most since joining is the culture. There is a real focus on collaboration and an open-door approach across the business. Everyone is working towards the same goal, with brokers and customers at the centre of every decision.”
David Kennedy, chief operating officer at Redwood Bank, said: “Omkar’s appointment further strengthens our underwriting capabilities as we continue to grow and enhance our lending proposition.
“He brings extensive experience across specialist lending and underwriting, along with a strong understanding of lending operations and risk management. His expertise will play an important role as we continue to invest in our people, processes and products to support brokers and customers across the specialist finance market.”
