Saffron Building Society has bolstered its business development team, adding four new members to the department as it bids to develop “relationships with all our intermediary partners”.

The Essex-based mutual says Veteran Phil Lawford joined this month as a business development manager and brings “a raft of experience and knowledge” gained from his 20 years in the industry.

Lawford joins from Tipton & Coseley Building Society where he was also a business development manager. He has worked in a variety of senior roles at West Bromwich Building Society, Furness Building Society and mutual insurer Royal London.

Saffron has promoted Raji Sidhu-Housden to the business development team, who joined the business in 2017 as an arrears officer.

Simon O’Donnell also joins the department, after starting as a branch manager at the firm in 2016.

Finally, Linsey Smith joined the mutual in November and has taken on the administrator’s role in the unit, tasked with taking support calls and overseeing live web chats.

Saffron Building Society interim head of mortgage sales Tony Hall says the moves demonstrate the firm’s “commitment to service delivery and developing long-lasting relationships with all our intermediary partners”.

Hall adds: “We are delighted to welcome our new team members on board and the addition of Phil with his extensive experience and passion for the industry is a real bonus.”