Harris, along with Rob Hailstone, founder of Bold Legal Group, are the first to join the committee of trusted advisers whose focus will be to shape and guide the strategy and go-to-market priorities of Coadjute, a blockchain network for the UK property market.

The Coadjute Advisory Board will be chaired by Dan Salmons, CEO at Coadjute, and includes prominent industry leaders from the property industry and regulated services.

The appointment of Harris, who was previously director of intermediary lending at Atom Bank and is a non-executive director at United Trust Bank, and Hailstone are set to be followed by further additions in February.

Coadjute aims to enable simpler, smarter, more secure transactions and hopes to halve the time it takes to move home.

More about Coadjute

The property buying process can be slow, complex and costly for both customers and the businesses that serve them, often caused by a lack of connectivity.

Coadjute’s blockchain platform is an open network which connects the businesses that take part in property transactions.

It enables buyers, sellers and professionals involved in the property process to synchronise events and alerts in real-time, and securely share messages and confidential documents.

Uniquely, property businesses can connect to the Coadjute network through their existing systems, making integration easy, and enabling costs reductions, improved resilience and a transformed customer experience. Coadjute’s open network is built on R3’s enterprise blockchain platform, Corda Enterprise.

Harris said: “The mortgage industry has been on the precipice of true digital transformation over the last few years, but we need to take that final leap of faith.

“Coadjute not only gives us the technology to make this a reality, but it also facilitates the step change in industry culture and mindset, we need to collaborate effectively. I’m so excited about what we’re about to set in motion and the difference it will make to us and our customers.”

Dan Salmons, CEO at Coadjute said: “I’m delighted to welcome Maria and Rob to the Coadjute Advisory Board.  Between them, they bring a wealth of experience in the mortgage and conveyancing industries respectively and share our passion for innovating to connect the property market.

“Coadjute’s network is set to become a National Grid for the market, and Maria and Rob’s expertise will be invaluable to help us set priorities that best address the needs of the property professionals they know so well.”