IMLA appoints Kate Davies as new Executive Director

Kate has served for nearly 30 years in trade association and local government association roles. From 1991 to 2008, she served as a senior policy adviser to the Building Societies Association and Council of Mortgage Lenders, in which she actively influenced financial services policy development.

She has also served as a Non-Executive Director at Darlington Building Society since 2011, as Standards Officer for the Equity Release Council since 2012 and was appointed Chairperson of the Property Codes Compliance Board in January 2015.

Kate’s primary responsibilities will be to oversee IMLA’s operations and strategic direction. This includes coordinating member dialogue and initiatives on market and policy issues, relationship building, research and engagement with industry partners including other trade bodies, regulators and policymakers.

Kevin Purvey, IMLA’s Chairman, commented: “Having set out to find a new Executive Director with a strong track record in the mortgage market, we are excited to welcome Kate to the role as an experienced, high-profile policy specialist who is widely respected for her work in the UK and European mortgage sectors.

“As well as her comprehensive knowledge and expertise on market and regulatory issues, Kate is also very familiar with the challenges faced by trade bodies and the invaluable contributions they make to support the market and the consumers it serves.

“Her experience and skills make her a perfect candidate to build on Peter Williams’ contribution to IMLA and help to steer the organisation through an important period in its development, as a dedicated and democratic forum for a wide range of lenders to collaborate for the benefit of all concerned.”
 
Kate Davies added: “I am delighted to be joining IMLA and look forward to working with its board and members from the beginning of next year to represent their interests and the growing number of consumers who rely on intermediary lenders to access mortgage finance.

“The role provides a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the most important industry and policy debates affecting the mortgage market, and work closely with IMLA’s fellow trade bodies, regulators and policy makers to help secure improvements to the operating environment. IMLA’s growing membership speaks volumes for the value that lenders see in working together to help inform this agenda, and I look forward to building on the invaluable work done by Peter Williams to grow IMLA’s profile and influence.”