Paul Darwin, director of intermediary relationships at the Skipton Building Society, will be retiring at the end of this year after serving the society for 28 years.

Darwin (pictured) joined the Skipton Building Society in 1990, when the average UK house price was just £59,587 and mortgage rates peaked at their highest ever levels of 15.40% between February and November of that year.

He originally started his career with Skipton as an area manager responsible for part of the branch network and quickly worked his way up the ladder, working with the branches and distribution areas of the business, before taking his first role in the Skipton Intermediary team.

He joined the Skipton Intermediary team in 2002 as a national account manager, and now just over 90% of the Society’s lending comes from Skipton Intermediaries.

He said: “We are not there just to sell rates, our job is to understand the broker’s business and add value to it.

“I’ve really enjoyed my time at Skipton, and I’m proud to have led a team that has always recognised there is a customer at the end of all of the processes. Through our dedication and commitment to brokers, consistently evolving our processes based on their feedback, and keeping the customer at the forefront of our minds, it is this that has made the difference, helping to make many people’s home ownership dreams become a reality.

“I’ve met so many great people in my time working at Skipton, it’s an organisation which really focuses on its people and it is this that I will miss the most. I want to wish my colleagues and all those I have worked with over the past 28 years every success.”

David Cutter, Skipton Group CEO, said: “Paul has been instrumental in building and maintaining strong relationships with our mortgage intermediary partners throughout his Skipton career.  He leaves a big hole to fill in terms of his knowledge of the market and leadership of the Intermediaries team.

“On behalf of all at Skipton, I’d like to thank Paul for his significant contribution to our success and wish him the very best in his retirement.”