Online conveyancing portal SortRefer has hired Jessica Szczelkun as relationship manager.

A fully qualified solicitor, Szczelkun will provide support for the conveyancing suppliers on the panel. She worked in a high street practice until 2012 before becoming a mortgage broker, specialising in residential, buy-to-let mortgages and protection.

Her role is to cement existing relationships and provide the human interface between SortRefer and its suppliers, “particularly in the event of any hitches in service standards,” the firm said.

Kevin Tunnicliffe, SortRefer’s managing director, said: “Having someone like Jessica, who has first hand experience of being both a conveyancing solicitor and a mortgage broker, provides a level of understanding and knowledge that is not easily duplicated and we are delighted to welcome her to the SortRefer team.

“Having Jessica take on this important role demonstrates again our commitment to our suppliers and to our introducing brokers and their clients by ensuring that only the best of service can be expected from SortRefer.”

Szczelkun added: “I am delighted to join SortRefer. Their commitment to developing a service that improves the experience of conveyancing for both customer and adviser is one that I share, having been both a broker and a solicitor.

“Their online approach is clearly a superior offering and I am looking forward to bringing my experience to bear in building stronger relationships between our conveyancing suppliers and introducers to further improve the service we offer.”