Tenancy Deposit Scheme (TDS) has announced that current ARLA vice president, Claire Lloyd, is to join the company as a business development consultant.

She will have the particular remit of attracting new letting agents to the TDS Custodial scheme.

Taking up her new role this month, Lloyd (pictured) will work alongside Rebecca Johnston, TDS Custodial managing director as part of the business development team.

Lloyd has over 20 years’ experience in the property industry and the UK’s letting market, including setting up and running the lettings agency, Claire Lloyd Properties. She was a founder agent member of TDS and has supported the organisation since its inception over 10 years ago.

A Fellow of both ARLA and NAEA since 2007, she was elected as vice president of ARLA in June 2016 and since selling her business she has worked as a consultant in the sector.

Steve Harriott, TDS chief executive, said: “Claire is well-known and well-connected within our industry and it’s really great to have her on board. She has unrivalled experience in lettings and deposits and is passionate about raising standards in the industry.

“Claire will be involved in encouraging agents to switch to TDS Custodial and advising us on how we might improve our award-winning service.”

Lloyd added: “I’m excited to be joining TDS at this time and to be able to use my hands-on experience of the lettings world to help build the company’s business. From my dealings with TDS over the years I know it’s a company whose ethos and goals very much match my own.”