Specialist buy-to-let lender, Fleet Mortgages, has appointed a new business development manager covering Wales and the South West.
Claire Graham will be responsible for supporting brokers and firms across the region, helping them place specialist buy-to-let business and ensuring they have access to Fleet’s full range of products, criteria and support.
Claire joins Fleet with over 12 years of experience working in financial services, most recently at Monmouthshire Building Society, where she worked as BDM for South Wales.
Prior to the Monmouthshire she previously worked as a mortgage and protection adviser with firms including Grosvenor May Financial Services, The Money Partnership, and NatWest, as well as customer-facing roles at both RBS and HSBC.
Alongside her professional experience, she is also well known within the regional business community. She is the founder of the Newport and Cardiff Women’s Business Networking groups, and is the co-founder of ‘That Charity Ball’, an annual event held in Cardiff which brings together professionals from across financial and property services to raise funds for 2Wish Cymru, a charity supporting families affected by the sudden death of a child or young person.
Claire’s appointment follows the announcement earlier this month that two of Fleet’s BDMs, Chris Barwick and Katy Williams, had been promoted to the newly-created roles of regional sales manager.
Steve Cox, chief commercial officer at Fleet Mortgages, commented: “We’re very pleased to welcome Claire as our newest BDM within the Fleet team. She brings a strong track record of working closely with brokers, along with a clear understanding of what advisers need in order to place business effectively.
“This is an important region for us and her experience, both as a BDM and as a former adviser, means she is well-placed to support brokers with the practical challenges they face, whether that’s navigating criteria, structuring cases or identifying the right solution for their landlord clients.
“Her existing relationships and profile in the market will also help Fleet continue to grow our presence across Wales and the South West.”
Claire Graham added: “I’m really excited to be joining Fleet Mortgages and to continue working with both existing contacts across a wide range of brokers and firms I already know, plus help forge new relationships across the region.
“Fleet has a very strong reputation in the buy-to-let market for its focus on specialist landlord wants and needs, and for the support it provides to advisers, and that was a big part of the appeal for me.
“Having worked both as an adviser and as a BDM, I understand how important it is to have a lender that is accessible, clear on criteria and willing to work with brokers to get cases through. I’m looking forward to building on my existing relationships and helping brokers place business with confidence.”
