Newly launched specialist lender Afin Bank has appointed James Briggs as intermediary sales director. Previously head of intermediary sales at Together Personal Finance, Briggs will drive the development of broker relationships ahead of the lender’s planned full launch next year.

Briggs brings over 25 years of experience of the specialist mortgage market, including a stint at Precise Mortgages. He said: “I am excited for the opportunity to work with brokers and distribution partners to help fill the criteria gaps and create a competitive proposition for the intermediary community and their clients.

“We are creating a specialist lending proposition, comprising a forward-thinking range of products. Our proposition will harness the latest technology to create a product journey without the friction, for both the broker and the borrower. Afin Bank will help brokers convert more cases and support more clients who are currently under-served by the market.”

Briggs joins his former Together Personal Finance colleague Alan Davison, who is Afin Bank’s chief commercial officer.

Davison said: “I’m delighted that James is joining us at Afin Bank. He knows the specialist lending market inside out, has a track record for developing longstanding distribution relationships, and really understands how Afin Bank will help this important market.”