Positive Lending has appointed Alec Wimbleton to the position of compliance and business assurance director.

He will be responsible for ensuring the master brokerage continues to adhere to the FCA’s regulatory framework. He joined Positive in July 2014 as an account manager across all loan products.

Wimbleton said: “I relish this chance to manage Positive’s compliance and influence the business. My experience of financial compliance is wide and long ranging. Many years ago when I worked in Branch Review at Abbey, I enjoyed educating brokers on compliance; today I am working closely with the Positive’s team to deliver a continuous compliance training programme. Over the years I have studied for my full FPC, CeMAP, Equity Release and my level 4 Diploma in Financial Planning.

“I have first-hand experience as an intermediary, having been a Directly Authorised broker, accountable for compliance and money laundering. I have also run compliance teams for both Santander and Deloittes. Outside of ‘work’ I lectured in finance at Bournemouth and Poole College.

“Positive Lending is a fast growing but incredibly well structured packager that takes compliance extremely seriously. I am delighted to take on the challenge of making sure everything we do, as individuals or as a company, is compliant and meets regulatory requirements. From producing compliance processes and guides, through to overseeing the gifts register, I will ensure Positive remains a leading intermediary when it comes to compliance and regulation.”

Chris Fairfax, managing director at Positive, added: “Compliance is central to all that we do but it’s not acceptable to consider your business compliant just because you believe the right things are being done. What is most important is that you develop and compliance strategy which can be deployed, evidenced, monitored, reviewed and amended as your business grows and the regulatory landscape changes. Positive has always maintained a compliant business but with Alec’s leadership we are in an even more robust position.

“Alec has worked in a number of senior compliance role before joining Positive, so we are delighted to appoint him to this role as he not only has an impeccable understanding of the regulatory framework but he also has a deep understanding of our business and great rapport with the team.”