Spicerhaart appoints new homes director  

Spicerhaart has appointed Claire Drewett as new homes director.

Drewett, who has worked in the industry for a decade, had started as site sales negotiator before working her way up to sales and marketing director for a developer then making the switch into estate agency.

She joined Spicerhaart three years ago and now heads their new homes division in the North, South West and East regions.

“My father is a builder and I grew up on sites,” said Drewett. “So I’ve seen the development of new homes every step of the way from start to finish.”

She added: “We’re able to offer developers a real knowledge of the area in which they’re building by using our hugely successful partner, property centre and branch network. I want developers to know that they can have an estate agent based in the heart of their area – not in an office 20 miles away.

“By showing just how successful that model is, I want to see our new homes division growing across the country.”

Spicerhaart’s new homes division provides expert advice and support to all the company’s estate agency brands, including haart. From planning advice to maximising yields, purchaser profiling to marketing and sales, the company says it’s their local knowledge that makes them the UK’s leading independent estate agency.

Spicerhaart CEO, Paul Smith, said: “Claire brings both outstanding knowledge of this industry as well as a clear passion and vision for our growth in new home sales. With our world-leading FLINK software, which uses social media to show buyers their new homes when they’re not even looking, we’ve got all the right ingredients for developers looking to find the best solutions for selling their property.”

Jeremy Duncombe named managing director of Accord Mortgages

Accord Mortgages has appointed Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association’s (IMLA) deputy chairman Jeremy Duncombe as its new managing director.

Duncombe, who will take over the role from January 2021, following the recent announcement that the existing MD Charles Canning, also chief customer officer at Yorkshire Building Society, Accord’s parent company, is to retire in February after 33 years with the business.

Duncombe, who has over 20 years’ experience in the financial services industry, has been with Accord for the past three years as director of intermediary distribution, working on increasing its market share and aiming to enhance the broker experience.

In his new role, Duncombe, will also lead mortgage distribution at Yorkshire Building Society.

Duncombe said: “I am delighted to be leading Accord into its next chapter, further enhancing the broker experience and adding value to the intermediary market, and I’d like to add my congratulations and best wishes to Charles, and thank him for his fantastic support.

“We have ambitious plans to take Accord to the next level in 2021 and to be able to combine this with boosting customer experience across mortgage distribution is truly exciting.

“We have the opportunity to develop a much stronger and focused offering right across the market, which will only serve to benefit our customers.”

Guy Brocklehurst joins Leumi UK’s property finance team

Guy Brocklehurst has joined Leumi UK’s property finance team as relationship manager.

With a wealth of experience in both healthcare and student accommodation financing, Brocklehurst will spearhead the London-based multi-specialist bank’s continued growth in these highly active sectors, contributing to the firm’s ambitious 2021 growth plans. He will report to Alasdair Houghton, head of property finance.

Brocklehurst has spent the past 16 years in front-line banking roles across Bank of Scotland and Santander, where he held senior positions in healthcare finance with responsibility for origination and key relationships. Most recently, Guy was a Debt and Business Adviser with ADVSME Limited.

He said: “I am thrilled to be joining Leumi UK’s well-respected property finance team at such an exciting time.

“I very much look forward to leveraging my sector experience and supporting the bank’s expansion of its portfolio in 2021, while maintaining a reputation for lasting, productive relationships.”

Reflecting on the appointment, Alasdair Houghton, head of property finance, commented: “Guy is a proven property finance specialist–particularly in the healthcare and student

Accommodation sectors – and I’m delighted to bring him on board.

“I’m confident that his expertise and personal motivation will be a tremendous asset to the team as we ramp up our efforts in both of these areas and grow our portfolio as a whole Guy will be well-placed to guarantee both speed and reliability to our customers, an approach that sits at the core of the bank’s long-lasting partnerships.”