Carr has a long career in mortgage advice including at NatWest, Halifax and HSBC, as well as more specialist providers such as Police Mutual.

In addition to her providing mortgage advice at Afin Bank, she will help shape the inhouse proposition and manage the team.

The adviser team will primarily advise applicants that have been introduced to Afin via its Community Ambassador Programme, a network of people in diaspora communities who will introduce friends, family and other community members looking for a mortgage to the bank.

Afin says that brokers and mortgage intermediaries will be the main part of its distribution strategy, but the Ambassador Programme, supported by its inhouse team of advisors, will help it reach more customers who are underserved by the mainstream banks.

Commenting on her appointment, Carr says: “I really feel like I’ve been building towards and preparing for this job all my life. I have all the skill sets needed to create this proposition and it’s exciting to part of a new bank like Afin that’s trying to do something different, something with a purpose.”

Afin Bank chief commercial officer Alan Davison adds: “Emily is a skilled and experienced mortgage advisor, but she is also passionate about treating customers as people, not just as an application.”

“She’s the perfect person to help people from diaspora communities understand their options and find the mortgage they want, something they don’t get on the high street.”