West One Loans has bolstered its second charge team with a series of new hires and promotions.

Lou Blair joins as senior underwriter from Bluestone Mortgages, where he spent four years following his move from Pepper Money.

In a career spanning 25 years, Blair has worked for both lenders and brokers covering second charge, residential and buy-to-let mortgages, and bridging and commercial.

Meanwhile, Tara Lane and Amelia Dorey have both been promoted to senior underwriter positions.

Meanwhile, Abby Hall has been appointed to the newly created role of training and development manager, where she will be responsible for graduate training, talent progression and coaching.

A former senior underwriter at Pepper Money, Hall has also worked for the Mortgage Advice Bureau and London & Country Mortgages.

Finally, Michael Halsey begins a new role at West One as second charge business development manager for the South and South West.

Halsey first joined the company four years ago and has previously spent spells in the underwriting and servicing teams.

Marie Grundy (pictured), managing director of West One’s second charge division, said: “Demand for second charge mortgages is on the rise as more mortgage intermediaries are recognising that this type of borrowing can potentially deliver best advice for homeowners looking to capital raise, without disturbing their existing mortgage arrangements.

“It has been a year of major growth for the second charge team and we have ambitious plans to continue building on what we do.

“Lou Abby and Michael are three fantastic additions and with Tara and Amelia’s promotions, we are further enhancing the knowledge, skills and experience we have in-house.”

Blair added: “West One has an excellent reputation as a lender capable of delivering solutions for a wide range of borrowers, even in the most complex of scenarios.

“This unique proposition is what attracted me to West One and it’s fantastic to be joining the business at such exciting time for the second charge market. The increase in demand means brokers need even greater support and guidance to find the right products and services for their clients, and I look forward to helping as many as possible.”

Hall concluded: “To support its exciting growth plans, the second charge team at West One is focused on nurturing and developing the very best talent.

“To have the opportunity to oversee that mission is a fantastic new challenge for me and I can’t wait to get started.”