Paragon Bank has announced the appointment of Louisa Sedgwick as the new commercial director of its mortgages division.

In the new role, Sedgwick will be responsible for the strategic development of Paragon’s buy-to-let product proposition, including pricing and distribution.

Sedgwick has more than 30 years’ experience in the mortgage industry, and was most recently managing director for specialist mortgages at Hampshire Trust Bank. She has also worked at Vida, Leeds Building Society and Bradford & Bingley.

Joining Paragon on 3 April 2023, Sedgwick will be focusing on product innovation for the bank’s professional landlord customers and increasing the speed of new products to market, as well as supporting the green agenda in both new business and upgrading existing properties.

She commented: “I am hugely excited to get stuck into this role. Paragon has a fantastic reputation in the market, its ambitions and culture match my own and I’ve been impressed with Richard’s vision for the buy-to-let business. I want to support the business to achieve its strategic objectives and propel its growth through delivering compelling products for our landlord customers.”

She added: “The need to expand the UK’s private rented sector is more pressing than ever before and professional landlords will be driving the growth. The market also needs to address the energy efficiency improvement of stock and I am looking forward to finding solutions to help landlords achieve that.”

Paragon also confirmed that Sedgwick will report to managing director of mortgages, Richard Rowntree, and form part of the mortgage division’s senior leadership team.

“I am delighted to welcome Louisa to our team,” Rowntree added. “She brings a wealth of experience, which complements the skills and knowledge we already have in our team, to help us continue to drive the business forward.

“This is an exciting time for the buy-to-let business given the growth and pace of change in our market, and this new role will help ensure we are developing the right products for intermediaries and professional landlords, in line with our strategy and vision.”

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