BM Solutions has confirmed that internal candidate Leigh Church will lead the lender on a permanent basis.
Church has 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry, spending the last 16 at BM Solutions as a regional manager, which is owned by Lloyds Banking Group.
BM Solutions is the buy-to-let brand of the financial services group, which focuses on traditional landlords, as well as small-to medium-sized portfolios.
Church began his career in insurance at Legal & General, Leigh and went on to hold several roles at its Mortgage Club, including marketing, business development manager and head of sales, before joining BM Solutions.
Church has acted as interim head of the division since Rickards resigned, with the banking group saying the new head was appointed “following an extensive search process”.
Lloyds Banking Group managing director for intermediaries Esther Dijkstra says: “The buy-to-let market is going through a challenging period, and strong leadership is needed.
“Leigh is hugely experienced and has shown during his time as acting head of the business that he is the right choice to lead it going forward.”
BM Solutions head Church adds: “I look forward to continuing to work with BM Solutions, growing the excellent relationships we have in the intermediary market and developing new ones.”
