Since joining Mortgage Brain in 2002, when the company was a single niche product provider, Lofthouse developed, adapted and grew the business to meet and support the needs of the industry.

It now has 120 employees and over 25,000 active users and, under Lofthouse’s leadership, the majority of UK advisers is using one or more of the company’s systems.

Mortgage Brain also has relationships with all UK lenders and has delivered a number of innovations including a Mortgage Trading Platform, APIs, online sourcing, a consumer app, Amazon Echo Skill and a CRM Client Portal for mortgage advisers.

Lofthouse will retire after a period of handover during 2021 and Drax Executive Limited has been appointed to work with the board to appoint his successor.

Peter Hill, chairman of Mortgage Brain said: “Mark’s vision, knowledge and tenacity has delivered immeasurable benefit to both the industry and the company.

“Advisers, lenders and the industry have hugely benefited from the technology advancements that Mortgage Brain has made over the years.”

Lofthouse said it had been a privilege to lead Mortgage Brain for almost two decades

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed working alongside so many gifted people and rising to the challenges and opportunities that have faced us through the years,” he said.

“The executive team, management and colleagues at Mortgage Brain are exceptionally talented and well placed to successfully meet and exceed expectations in the future as the technological transformation continues as we adapt to the new world around us.

“I wish them all the very best and thank them and our many loyal customers whole heartedly for their support during the last 19 years.”