Paragon Bank has hired Louisa Sedgwick as commercial director of its mortgages division.

Sedgwick has more than 30 years’ experience in the mortgage industry, most recently as managing director for specialist mortgages at Hampshire Trust Bank. She was also managing director of mortgages at Vida Homeloans and held senior positions at Leeds Building Society and Bradford and Bingley.

She joined the Intermediary Mortgage Lenders Association as a member in November 2021.

Starting her role at Paragon on 3 April, Sedgwick will be responsible for the strategic development of its buy-to-let product proposition, including pricing and distribution.

She will be focusing on product innovation for the lender’s professional landlord customers and increasing the speed of new products to market, as well as supporting the green agenda in both new business and upgrading existing properties.

She will report to managing director of mortgages, Richard Rowntree, and form part of the mortgage division’s senior leadership team.

Sedgwick says: “I am hugely excited to get stuck into this role.

“Paragon has a fantastic reputation in the market, its ambitions and culture match my own and I’ve been impressed with Richard’s vision for the buy-to-let business. I want to support the business to achieve its strategic objectives and propel its growth through delivering compelling products for our landlord customers.”

“The need to expand the UK’s private rented sector is more pressing than ever before and professional landlords will be driving the growth. The market also needs to address the energy efficiency improvement of stock and I am looking forward to finding solutions to help landlords achieve that.”

Rowntree says: “I am delighted to welcome Louisa to our team. She brings a wealth of experience, which complements the skills and knowledge we already have in our team, to help us continue to drive the business forward.

“This is an exciting time for the buy-to-let business given the growth and pace of change in our market, and this new role will help ensure we are developing the right products for intermediaries and professional landlords, in line with our strategy and vision.”