e4 Strategic has appointed Jackie Bennett OBE as Non-Executive Director, adding one of the mortgage industry’s most experienced and respected voices to its leadership team.
The appointment comes as the company continues to expand its presence in the UK and drive adoption of its VERSA digital workflow platform across the mortgage lending and conveyancing sectors.
With almost 25 years’ experience shaping mortgage and housing policy, Jackie has played a central role in some of the industry’s most significant developments over the past two decades. She was awarded an OBE in 2010 for services to financial services during the 2008–10 financial crisis, recognising her work in supporting homeowners and guiding lenders through a period of unprecedented change.
Jackie currently serves as Chair of the Bank of England’s Residential Property Forum and sits as a Non-Executive Director on the New Homes Quality Board, while her previous roles include Director of Mortgages at UK Finance, where she led engagement with government, regulators and lenders on key policy and market initiatives and a long stint at the Council for Mortgage Lenders where she was Head of Policy.
At e4 Strategic, Jackie will provide independent guidance, governance expertise and strategic input as the business scales its UK operations and continues to modernise post-offer processes between lenders and conveyancers through its VERSA platform.
VERSA has been developed in the UK over the past four years in collaboration with some of the industry’s leading mortgage lenders and conveyancing experts, backed by over two decades of experience delivering similar solutions to South Africa’s largest mortgage lenders and conveyancers.
Simon Slater, CEO of e4 Strategic, commented:
“Jackie brings a rare combination of years of experience in the mortgage market plus practical policy insights, governance knowledge and a deep understanding of the market particularly in relation to mortgage lenders. She is very well known and respected across the industry so it’s a real privilege to have her join us. She has helped shape the industry’s approach to regulation, risk and consumer outcomes, and her perspective will be invaluable as we continue to strengthen our partnerships across the industry. She loves the e4 story and we’re delighted to welcome Jackie to the board as we enter our next phase of growth.”
Jackie Bennett OBE, Non-Executive Director at e4 Strategic added:
“e4 Strategic’s work with VERSA represents the kind of innovation the industry has been calling for - connecting lenders and conveyancers through modern, collaborative technology. I’ve spent much of my career focused on improving processes and outcomes for consumers, so I’m excited to be part of a business that’s so passionate about tackling long-standing challenges in such a practical and forward-thinking way.”
