Tech-focused mortgage broker Tembo has appointed banking and fintech veteran Jenny Watts as its chair.  

The firm says Watts brings over 30 years of experience in business-to-consumer sales, human recourses, risk and compliance as well as “proven technical abilities, strong project management and business transformation skills”.     

Watts has acted as a strategic advisor to the business since July 2021.   

She has previously held senior roles at Molo Mortgages where she was managing director; Habito as chief operating officer; and Metro Bank, where she spent just over four years, leaving as director of lending operations in December 2016.   

Tembo, founded in April 2020, allows mortgage borrowers to boost their incomes, or deposits, through family-assisted mortgages and other specialist schemes.  

It is backed by a range of investors that include Aviva, digital venture capital group Founders Factory and ethical investor Fair By Design Fund.  

Tembo founder and chief executive Richard Dana says: “We are hugely excited that Jenny has joined Tembo as our board chair. Her skills and experience will be invaluable as we forge ahead and continue to create solutions that will make the dream of home ownership a reality for more people.”  

Watts adds: “Richard and his talented team are on a mission to help get more people onto the property ladder which is something I am very passionate about.   

“Never have those entering the property market had a greater need for a helping hand in terms of bridging the intergenerational wealth gap.   

“2023 is set to be a very challenging year economically so Tembo is well placed to provide this niche service and I feel lucky to be on this journey with them.”