Mortgage lender Gen H has hired Karen Appleton as head of lending.

Appleton has spent 25 years in the industry and joins from Skipton Building Society, where she spent nine years, most recently as head of lending, and was instrumental in reducing the lender’s underwriting turnaround times from 17 days to same=day.

In her new role, Appleton will oversee the credit and lending function, helping to develop the lender’s first-time buyer focused mortgage propositions.

In recent weeks, the lender announced its launch with Experian Boost, which enables applicants with a boosted score to get a mortgage where they couldn’t before or to access better mortgage options.

Gen H chief commercial officer Pete Dockar says: “We’re beyond excited to welcome Karen to Gen H. Karen has a demonstrable track record for truly innovative thinking, and her expertise is precisely what Gen H needs as we continue to grow, develop new propositions, and help more people find their place on the property ladder.”

Appleton says: “Having come from a credit risk background, I have always embraced opportunities to collaborate with brokers and other partners across the industry so we can build a real-life lending culture that meets the needs of customers across the mortgage application value chain. I know that this passion of mine will be well placed with Gen H, and I’m very much looking forward to getting started.