"Given all I have done over the past decade, and the considerable changes facing the market, it is sensible to step down and let IMLA appoint someone who can lead them through the next five years."
IMLA says Peter’s choice to step down is unprompted and was motivated by his feeling that IMLA would benefit from fresh thinking to steer the organisation through the next five years and beyond.
Following the end of his tenure, Peter will continue with his own housing and mortgage research work and market commentary along with being a Non-Executive Director for Vida Homeloans.
Peter was IMLA’s first ever Executive Director and has served in the role for over a decade following his appointment in December 2006.
During Peter’s tenure, IMLA’s membership has grown to a post-recession high of 34 different lenders, including high street banks, building societies and challenger banks, each of whom distribute through the intermediary channel.
IMLA’s Board, led by Chairman Kevin Purvey of the Coventry Building Society, will lead the search for the next Executive Director. He is supported by Deputy Chairman Phil Rickards, of Lloyds Banking Group, and Directors John Heron (Paragon Group), Charles Haresnape (Aldermore), Paul Darwin (Skipton Building Society) and Louisa Sedgwick (Vida Homeloans).
Kevin Purvey, IMLA’s Chairman, commented: “Peter will depart from IMLA on the very best terms at the end of the year, having been instrumental in its growth and performance over the past decade as the market has recovered from recession. Both IMLA’s Directors and Peter feel that it is important to have an Executive Director in place who will take responsibility for leading the organisation for the next five years at least. I would like to thank Peter for his unwavering commitment to the interests of IMLA, its members, and the broader mortgage market over the last decade.
“Peter will continue to serve as Executive Director until the end of 2017, and IMLA will be looking for a suitable successor in the meantime. IMLA is interested in hearing from candidates with a strong track record in the mortgage market, and the ability to lead the organisation through an important period in its continued development.”
Peter Williams added: “I have thoroughly enjoyed my time as IMLA’s Executive Director, and would like to thank the board and members for giving me this opportunity and for the support I have enjoyed. The past decade has been a period of great change for the intermediary mortgage market, with the recession, technological advances and new regulation presenting significant challenges and opportunities for lenders and brokers alike. I am proud of the work IMLA has done to represent the interests of its members, and its endeavours to build a better mortgage market for all, with intermediated advice at its heart.
“I feel that given all I have done over the past decade, and the considerable changes facing the market, it is sensible to step down and let IMLA appoint someone who can lead them through the next five years. I look forward to continuing to work with IMLA in any way that might assist them, and wish the board success in finding a new Executive Director. The role is a great opportunity for someone looking to have a highly influential role in the industry, and to be a voice for the sector in some of the most important policy and commercial debates in the mortgage market.”
