Mortgage and protection network Stonebridge has made four senior promotions, including three board appointments, as it seeks to maintain momentum after arranging more than £17 billion of lending over the past 12 months.

The Essex-based business has promoted head of sales John Scrivens to sales director and appointed him to the board, with responsibility for the network’s protection and general insurance propositions.

Jo Carrasco, who joined the board in 2018, continues as business partnerships director with responsibility for relationships with member firms.

Scrivens joined Stonebridge in 2023 and has worked in financial services for nearly three decades, including roles at Skipton Building Society and Lloyds. He has been involved in initiatives aimed at supporting advisers to deliver improved consumer outcomes while increasing income.

Recruitment & growth director Lesley Sharkey and operations director Gavin Earnshaw have also been appointed to the board.

Sharkey joined parent group MSS in 2013 and previously held senior strategic roles at Countrywide and Shepherd Direct.

Earnshaw rejoined the business in 2021 and has previously worked at networks including Sesame Bankhall and HLPartnership.

Martyn Franklin, a board member since 2018, has been promoted to chief financial officer. He moved from the parent group in 2018 to become group finance director after serving as head of strategic & commercial planning at MSS for three years.

FOCUS ON CAPACITY AND GROWTH

Rob Clifford, chief executive at Stonebridge, said the changes reflected an emphasis on strengthening senior management capacity as the network pursues further growth.

He said: “We’ve been going from strength to strength, but see no ceiling to the progress my team can deliver. Stonebridge has grown carefully but substantially since 2018 and, if anything, momentum is continuing to build.

“It is our clear and established strategy to offer a service for mortgage brokers that leaves clear water between us and our competitors. That’s not just limited to our wholly-owned tech platform, Revolution, but the way we engage beyond compliance to pragmatically support our members in running their business.

“To do that, we need to understand the needs of our members and, while that might be a bit old-fashioned because of the time, effort and cost to deliver, we are proud that our personal level of service is one of the key commitments that sets us apart.

“Lesley, Gavin, and John, along with our existing Stonebridge board members, all embody that commitment, so their formal board appointments are very well deserved.

“We’ve got a fantastic team throughout the business, and that’s going to continue to dictate the pace of our progress.”

Stonebridge has grown its broker membership consistently over the past eight years and now employs more than 200 staff supporting more than 1,400 mortgage and protection advisers across the UK.