IMLA elects Phil Rickards as chairman

He will take over from Kevin Purvey, head of intermediaries at Coventry Building Society, who will return to the role of IMLA director after being chairman for two years.

IMLA elects Phil Rickards as chairman

The Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association has elected BM Solutions' Phil Rickards (pictured) as chairman.

On January 1 he will take over from Kevin Purvey, head of intermediaries at Coventry Building Society, who will return to the role of IMLA director after being chairman for two years.

Rickards, who is head of BM Solutions at Lloyds Banking Group, was deputy chairman of IMLA in December 2015 and has also been a director.

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.

“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.”

Louisa Sedgwick, director of sales at Vida Homeloans, has been appointed deputy chairman, while Alison Pallett, director of sales at the Bank of Ireland, has been elected as a director alongside Paul Darwin, head of intermediary sales at Skipton Building Society, who has served on the IMLA board since 2016.

John Heron, managing director of Paragon Mortgages, has stepped down from IMLA to take up a position on UK Finance’s mortgages and product service board.

In January Kate Davies will begin her role as executive director, succeeding Peter Williams after more than a decade in the role.

Davies said: “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.”