LSL Group financial services director Jon Round will step down in February to take up a non-executive director role at its intermediary businesses Primis and TMA, where he will set up and chair a new broker council.   

The FTSE 250 property business adds that Richard Howells will join the company in November, initially as financial services chief operating officer. 

But it adds he will then step up to lead the group’s financial services division as managing director next February, subject to regulatory approval.   

Howells joins LSL from broker business Sesame Bankhall Group, where he worked for almost three years, leaving as chief operating officer. He has also held senior roles at Experian and Zurich. 

In August, LSL Group agreed to buy Tenet Group’s Tenet Lime mortgage and protection network, which services 231 mortgage and protection advisers, operating within 133 appointed representative firms for up to £12.9m.     

LSL said it will integrate the network within Primis.   

LSL Group chief executive David Stewart says: “Jon has played a key part in transforming our Financial Services business to the extent that the Primis network and TMA Mortgage Club are at the very heart of our strategy.   

“From relatively small beginnings, our members now advise on over 10% of new mortgages in the UK – it’s a great achievement that would not have happened without Jon.  

“I’m therefore really pleased that this is not the end of the story and I’m delighted that Jon has agreed to continue to work with us as a non-executive director of Primis and TMA companies.” 

Jon Round adds: “The successful growth of Primis and TMA, coupled with the recent acquisition of Tenet Lime have provided a really strong foundation for the next chapter of success.   

“I am looking forward to transitioning to my new role as a non-executive director and working with Richard to ensure an effective handover.”