Blend has hired Graeme Walker as lending director at the specialist development firm.

It says Walker has “considerable experience and understanding of the challenges facing small business developers” and is a “trusted figure in the development lending arena”.

He will work with managing director David Alcock.

Walker, who has over 30 years of experience in the industry, worked as head of lending within the development finance team at Hampshire Trust Bank before joining Blend.

Prior to that, he held roles at Barclays Wealth Management and Heritable Bank.

Blend’s Alcock said: “Riding the wave of our successful 2024, while navigating challenging market conditions, we believe this is the perfect time to bolster our property lending offering by welcoming Graeme to the team.”

Walker adds that he “looks forward to working with the team” as it focuses on providing funding for its “small housebuilder customers and intermediaries”.

In February, Blend secured a new funding line of over £50m from an unnamed institutional investor.