Stonebridge promotes sales director in series of key promotions

Mortgage and protection network, Stonebridge, has strengthened its senior team with three new board appointments.

Head of sales, John Scrivens (pictured), has been promoted to sales director and appointed to the board. He assumes responsibility for the network’s protection and general insurance propositions while Jo Carrasco, who joined the board in 2018, continues to play a key role as business partnerships director, with responsibility for the network’s relationship with members.

Scrivens joined Stonebridge in 2023 and has been instrumental in implementing the network’s initiatives designed to support advisers. He has worked in financial services for nearly three decades, including spells at Skipton Building Society and Lloyds. 

Recruitment and growth director, Lesley Sharkey, and operations director, Gavin Earnshaw, have also been appointed to the Stonebridge board. Sharkey joined the parent group, MSS, in 2013 and held key strategic roles at Countrywide and Shepherd Direct prior. Earnshaw rejoined the company in 2021 and has held leadership roles at several other networks, including Sesame Bankhall and HLPartnership.

Martyn Franklin, a board member since 2018, has been promoted to chief financial officer. He moved from the parent group in 2018 to become Stonebridge’s group finance director after serving as head of strategic and commercial planning for three years at MSS.

Rob Clifford, chief executive at Stonebridge, commented: “We’ve been going from strength to strength, but see no ceiling to the progress my team can deliver. Stonebridge has grown carefully but substantially since 2018 and, if anything, momentum is continuing to build. 

“It is our clear and established strategy to offer a service for mortgage brokers that leaves clear water between us and our competitors. That’s not just limited to our wholly-owned tech platform, Revolution, but the way we engage beyond compliance to pragmatically support our members in running their business.

“To do that, we need to understand the needs of our members and, while that might be a bit old-fashioned because of the time, effort and cost to deliver, we are proud that our personal level of service is one of the key commitments that sets us apart. Lesley, Gavin, and John, along with our existing Stonebridge board members, all embody that commitment, so their formal board appointments are very well deserved. 

“We’ve got a fantastic team throughout the business, and that’s going to continue to dictate the pace of our progress.”