Chetwood Bank has appointed Philip Jenks as non-executive director (NED). He has held leadership positions in the financial services industry for over 50 years, having worked across banking, credit risk, technology and management. Jenks has worked across the mortgage sector, having held roles at Halifax and HBOS, and has also served as a NED or chairman at firms including Leeds Building Society, Charter Court Financial Services, City of London Group and Recognise Bank.

United Trust Bank (UTB) has cut rates across its bridging products range, with rates now starting from 0.65% per month on standard regulated bridging loans and 0.63% per month on large loan rates. The specialist lender has also removed the higher standard rates for loans below £200,000, instead applying the same rates on all loans above the minimum £100,000 loan size. Rates on UTB's heavy refurbishment loans are now available for experienced and inexperienced borrowers at up to 70%, starting from 0.8% and 0.9% per month respectively.

ONP Solicitors, part of home moving group Movera, has appointed Gemma Etheridge as its new conveyancing team manager. She brings over 20 years of experience to the role and will lead ONP’s expanding team in Leeds. As part of the new role, Etheridge will work to recruit and manage a team of conveyancers, with eight new members already confirmed. Her immediate priorities will be refining ONP’s processes, building a cohesive team and further enhancing the client experience by leveraging technology to improve efficiency and customer care.

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