Peter Beaumont (main picture), the former chief executive of The Mortgage Lender (TML) and executive committee member at Shawbrook Bank, has returned to frontline financial services as Chief Executive Officer of Ampla Finance, a fast-growing specialist lender focused on legal and probate finance.
As revealed in Mortgage Soup yesterday the appointment signals a pivotal growth phase for Ampla Finance, which is poised for a strategic rebrand, product expansion and the launch of a new digital platform.
The lender, which specialises in providing niche funding for divorce and probate-related legal proceedings, is reportedly backed by private equity firm RoundShield.
Beaumont’s return has prompted a chorus of congratulations from across the mortgage and finance community, where he has remained a well-regarded figure following a successful seven-year tenure at TML.
WARM WELCOME
Robert Sinclair, former AMI chief executive and now senior advisor at the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries and one of the sector’s most respected voices, was among the first to extend his congratulations: “Welcome back and wishing you all the best.”
Habito CEO Ying Tan offered a more exuberant reaction, commenting: “Wooohoooo congratulations and welcome back.”
Meanwhile, Ian Balfour, formerly of Solent Mortgages and now director at All Money Matters, simply said: “Enjoy.”
David Whittaker, CEO of Keystone Property Finance, struck a characteristically humorous tone: “Congrats Peter! Back again – you are a glutton for punishment.”
And Jason Berry, group sales director at Crystal Specialist Finance and co-founder of the Mortgage Industry Mental Health Charter, added: “Great hire and congrats Peter Beaumont… back in the game.”
Among the many other industry well-wishers, Mark Harris, chief executive of SPF Private Clients and global practice chairman of Howden Private Clients, commented: “Congratulations Peter. Hope all is well.”
NEW CHAPTER
Beaumont shared news of his appointment on LinkedIn, writing: “I’m delighted to share that I’m starting a new position as Chief Executive Officer at Ampla Finance!
“For those not so familiar in my network, we provide finance for legal fees during a divorce and for executors and beneficiaries of estates (known as probate finance).
“It’s niche, but if you come across anyone needing our help, please share or get in touch.
“More products to come in due course along with a rebrand and new website (courtesy of the fab team at Equator).”
KEY PLAYER
His move to Ampla comes nearly 18 months after stepping down as CEO of TML, where he helped the lender originate nearly £3bn in mortgage assets and established it as a key player in the UK’s specialist lending market.
In 2021, he played a pivotal role in the lender’s sale to Shawbrook Bank, securing its integration into the bank’s retail mortgage strategy.
Industry pundits will be watching closely to see how Beaumont applies his depth of experience in scaling specialist lending businesses to the unique, underdeveloped vertical of legal and probate finance.
KNEW IT
One broker MD, still waiting to speak to Beaumont, told Mortgage Soup: “Knew he’d be back. I just wonder what else might be coming. Peter has always been a great leader.
“I don’t, like most of your readers no doubt, know anything about Ampla Finance. But he’s clearly going to have a mandate for growth. This is going to be an interesting one to watch.”
Further announcements regarding product launches and the company’s rebrand are expected later this year.
