UK Finance has appointed Charles Roe as its new director of mortgages.

Roe was previously chief risk officer for Nottingham Building Society and has also held senior supervisory roles at the FCA and the FSA as it was.

In his new role at the trade body he will be responsible for leading the development of mortgage policy, reporting to managing director of personal finance Eric Leenders and to the chair of the mortgage products and services board Lloyd Cochcrane.

Roe will take up the role in August working closely with the former director of mortgages Jackie Bennett who will remain with UK Finance as a senior adviser. 

Prior to joining the Nottingham Building Society in April 2018, Roe was a director in Grant Thornton’s financial services regulatory practice where he advised on governance, control, organisational culture, compliance and the management of risk. 

Between April 2005 to July 2015, Roe worked at the FCA (formerly the FSA until 2014).

At the watchdog he held senior posts including head of department for mortgages and mutuals, developing and implementing the conduct supervision strategy for the UK mortgage market; including building societies, mortgage intermediaries and credit unions.

Leenders says: “The industry has introduced a number of measures to support customers through the Coronavirus crisis and as we emerge from lockdown, continued support for those who need it will be vital. 

“Charles’ significant experience of risk, compliance and regulation combined with commercial and consulting background will no doubt prove invaluable to all our members across the mortgage industry.  

“He is the ideal candidate to take over as director of mortgages during these unprecedented times. 

“We are very much looking forward to him joining us in this key role.”

“Our thanks also go to Jackie Bennett OBE, who as the preceding director has ably steered the mortgages policy team since 2017 and, over the last few months, as senior adviser.

“We are delighted that she will continue to work with Charles and the team in this role as she explores other opportunities.”

Roe says: “I’m very much looking forward to joining the UK Finance mortgages team. 

“Housing is always a priority and never more so than over the last few months. 

“Ensuring customers continue to get the support they need, both now and in the future, will be top of members’ agendas, and as part of the team, we will be working closely with them to achieve this.”