Former chief executive of mortgage broker Dynamo, Ying Tan, is taking on the position of chief executive of digital broker Habito.

The role is subject to FCA approval and will also see Tan take a significant shareholder stake in the business, which has just closed its latest round of funding, led by Tan and supported by Habito’s existing investors, Augmentum Fintech, SBI Investment, Volution and Bootstrap Europe.

The digital broker says the new investment will power the next phase of it’s customer offering and will enable the company to “continue fusing its proprietary technology platform with its highly-acclaimed advice team.”

Habito founder and chief executive Daniel Hegarty is stepping down after seven years at the helm.

He says: “Over the past seven years, we’ve been on a mission to make the process of owning and financing a home easier. Habito has helped more than half a million people with their mortgage needs and has doubled down on customer service during a period of great change and uncertainty in the UK housing market.

“Leading such a passionate, skilled and dedicated team during this time has been an honour. I’m tremendously proud of all that we’ve achieved together and I’m excited for all that the future holds for Habito. Ying is a mortgage industry titan and a phenomenal operator and I can’t think of a leader better suited to the role.”

Hegarty will now focus on his advisory roles, investment portfolio and a new fintech start-up.

Tan says: “I’ve admired Habito from afar since its launch in 2016 and I’m beyond thrilled to have the opportunity to take the company to the next level. With the cost of living biting, energy prices sky-rocketing and interest rates at historic highs, it’s more important than ever for UK mortgage-holders and first time homeowners to have access to the very best mortgage and home-buying advice.

“I’ve spent nearly 20 years in the industry and am passionate about delivering stellar customer outcomes and driving positive change within the mortgage market. 2023 is going to be another milestone year for Habito’s brokerage and I’m excited for all that’s to come.”

“Dan has led Habito with creativity and vision. I share his enormous passion for innovation, technology and commitment to solving real-world problems for customers. I am super proud to take the baton and turbocharge Habito’s growth for the next stage of its journey.”

Tan founded mortgage broker Dynamo, formerly The Buy to Let Business, in 2006 and grew it to 200 staff before exiting to Connells in 2021. Tan has since invested in a number of fintech businesses including Propflo and Knowledge Bank, where he is currently non-executive chair.

In 2020, Dynamo became the first mortgage club with exclusive access to Habito’s range of buy-to-let mortgage products.