Crystal gazes on south east for growth

WALSALL-based Crystal Mortgages has strengthened its southern network with the appointment of Lee Heasman as Business Development Manager for the South East region.

The move, which is the first of three similar level appointments, places an emphasis on managing existing broker contacts and forming key strategic partnerships as the company aims to double its funding targets in 2015.

Heasman joins from Santander where he held the role of Relationship Director in the Corporate Banking Division, prior to which he was Business Development Manager in Corporate Banking for the Lloyds Banking Group.

Joe Breeden, Managing Director at Crystal Mortgages, said: “With over 20 years experience in auction, development and bridging finance, as well as commercial and residential property mortgages, Lee brings a whole wealth of financial experience and contacts into the role which will prove invaluable.

“The company is on a sharp growth trajectory and our business plans target significant growth over the next five years. To realise these figures we must continue to push the proven argument for specialist lending and have the right people in place to deliver a first-class service, these will undoubtedly be realised.”

Tax offering boosted by new appointment at Ormerod Rutter

WORCESTERSHIRE accountancy practice Ormerod Rutter has appointed an experienced tax professional to bolster its private client offering.

David Gillies has taken on the role of private client director with responsibility for 10 tax department staff at the firm’s head office in Droitwich Spa.

Gillies has operated in the sector for more than 25 years. His career began in 1987 with HMRC before he made the move into private practice with Ernst & Young and PricewaterhouseCoopers.

Ormerod Rutter senior partner Garry Rutter said: “We’re delighted to welcome David to our team as his vast knowledge of tax planning will greatly benefit our clients.”

Signature underlines growth ambitions with new appointments

SIGNATURE Private Finance has bolstered its position with two new appointments.

Nigel Robbins, left, who joins from Cigna Legal Protection, takes up the role of Business Development Manager. Steve Cleaver, right, formerly with award-winning Furness Building Society, has been appointed as an underwriter.

Signature, which offers a national service from offices in Birmingham and London, is backed by private equity funding and currently enjoying a surge in growth as traditional sources of finance remain difficult to access for many property owners and investors.

Robbins said: “I am joining Signature Private Finance at a time when there is renewed optimism in the sector, with new property investors entering the market on a daily basis.”

Signature CEO, Bilal Ahmed, said: “These strategic appointments will ensure we sustain our recent growth and can spread the message about our service, safe in the knowledge we have the resources to cope with the new business that will undoubtedly follow.”