The Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association (IMLA) has confirmed the election of its 2018 board, with Phil Rickards taking on the role of chair from 1 January 2018.
Rickards, head of BM Solutions at Lloyds Banking Group, was first appointed deputy chair of IMLA in December 2015 and has also served as a director. He succeeds Kevin Purvey, head of intermediaries at Coventry Building Society, who returns to the role of IMLA director after two years as its chair.
Louisa Sedgwick, director of sales at Vida Homeloans has been appointed deputy chair, with Alison Pallet of the Bank of Ireland elected as a director alongside Paul Darwin from Skipton Building Society who has served on the IMLA board since 2016.
The election also saw John Heron of Paragon Group step down from the board to take up a position on the UK Finance Mortgages and Product Service Board after many years of continued service to IMLA since the late 1980s, including multiple terms as IMLA chairman and director roles since the mid-1990s.
January 2018 will also see Kate Davies begin her role as executive director, succeeding Peter Williams after more than a decade in the role.
Rickards said: “I am looking forward to building on the fantastic contribution made by Kevin over the last two years, and collaborating with the rest of the board in this time of transition. Though we’re sad to see Peter step down from his long-standing role as Executive director, we’re confident Kate’s appointment will stand IMLA in good stead as we continue to grow.
“This is an exciting time for the industry, and IMLA has a vital role to play in supporting effective working relationships between lenders and brokers, while informing regulators and policymakers to ensure the market remains balanced and well-served for mainstream and specialist customers.”
Davies added: “Phil will head up a strong team of experienced and newly-appointed IMLA directors, who are committed to the needs of our members within the ever-changing mortgage market. I’m sure he will continue to build on the successful contribution he has already made over the last few years as deputy chair.
“As I too settle into my new role, I’m looking forward to working closely with IMLA directors throughout 2018 to play an active part in tackling key issues that will shape the market’s future. I’d like to thank Peter for all his wide-ranging contributions to IMLA over the years and his help in preparing me to take on the role. Both he and John Heron will be formidable acts to follow and I speak for every IMLA member in wishing them both well in the future.”