Afin Bank has appointed two new Senior Business Development Managers (BDMs) as the specialist lender focusses on growing its sales team in 2026.
Debbie Lavender joins Afin from PWM (Partners Wealth Management), where she was a specialist mortgage broker, and will look after the Midlands and the North. John Smith joins from Molo, the digital lender, and will be responsible for the South.
\Both take up the role of Senior Business Development Manager and bring with them huge amounts of experience in mortgages and financial services, including with some of Afin Bank’s main specialisms of mortgages for foreign nationals and high-net worth-borrowers.
Debbie Lavender was previously an advisor with major banks including NatWest, Lloyds and Santander, as well as a wealth advisor, and says her customer facing expertise will be invaluable at Afin.
She said: “As a broker you always need to think about the customer and understand the needs of the borrower, so I will bring that experience to my new role. We are helping people who want a house, who want a home of their own. These are people who are contributing to the UK, such as health workers and the self-employed. Why should they be forced to rent?
“Afin is a small but growing organisation, so there is still the personal touch, which I really like. We can get around a table and discuss a case, and I love how motivated and keen people in the team are.”
John Smith has previously worked with major lenders including The Co-operative Banking Group and had roles with specialist lenders Bluestone and Masthaven Bank when they were launching.
He said: “I like being there at the beginning of a new lender, as opposed to being a small part of a very big bank. I get to help shape the proposition and work closely with new and existing brokers, which is vital in helping Afin grow.
“I love what Afin stands for, and I have always focused on solutions, helping brokers find the right mortgages for their customers. My experience of supporting other underserved customers, such as foreign nationals, will be helpful in my new role.”
Jason Oakley, CEO of Afin Bank said: “Interest in Afin has been incredible, and we are only six months into our journey, but we are ambitious and want to help more customers. Having people of the calibre of Debbie and John means we can work with even more brokers and help more underserved borrowers get the mortgages they deserve.”
Afin Bank helps underserved borrowers who may struggle to get mortgages because of their unique circumstances, such as high-net-worth borrowers, people from overseas living and working in the UK on a valid work visa, the self-employed and qualified professionals.
