Shawbrook has bolstered its mortgage unit by adding a dedicated specialised bridging and second charge team to the business.

The bank says the move will create a team with a strong underwriting background that will build even deeper relationships with brokers, “underpinned by consistency of decision making, speed and service”.

Gavin Seaholme, formerly the lender’s head of sales, will lead the new team as head of bridging and second charge. The new section will also comprise four relationship managers – Jasdeep Bhogal, Danielle Evans, Thomas Tailby, and Jack Broadbridge.

Bhogal has worked at Shawbrook for over ten years, while Tailby moves to sales from bridging loan lender Glenhawk where he was an underwriter.

Evans joins the firm after more than ten years of experience in senior roles in the bridging market, and Broadbridge recently joined the business as relationship manager having been a senior bridging underwriter at fintech firm LendInvest.

Darrell Walker, currently the bank’s head of product development & proposition, will replace Seaholme as head of sales.

Emma Cox will continue to lead the mortgage team as managing director of real estate, reporting to head of the enterprise group, Neil Rudge.

But Cox also assumes responsibility for the lender’s buy-to-let, commercial investment, bridging and second charge business under the Shawbrook Real Estate banner.

The bank is also recruiting two national account managers who will work across all products.

Shawbrook managing director of real estate Cox says: “This is an exciting inflexion point for the bank. By bringing all elements of property finance together under the enterprise banner, we can better service our broker partners and give them greater access to our market-leading range of products.

“The formation of our dedicated bridging and seconds team is a true indicator of our commitment to the market. Bridging is a core focus for us.

Shawbrook head of sales Walker adds: “Broker relationships have always been integral to our business, so I’m pleased we are putting even more emphasis on building and strengthening these.

“The restructure will allow us to deploy more expertise within the markets we serve, which can only improve the broker and customer experience with us.”