The Society of Mortgage Professionals gains three new Board members

Carlos Thibaut, Chair of the Society of Mortgage Professionals said, “Our new Board members bring extensive and complimentary experience of the mortgage market and will strengthen what is already a hugely experienced and capable Board. We wish them every success in their new roles.”

Paula John, Director, Paula John Communications

CeMap qualified, Paula John joins the SMP Board with 25 years of experience as a mortgage journalist and editor-in-chief of such titles as Mortgage Solutions and Your Mortgage. In 2022, she set up her own PR and communications firm, Paula John Communications, helping companies in the mortgage industry to tell their stories. Paula has also curated a raft of industry events, including The British Mortgage and Protection Senate, Specialist Lending Senate and The Buy to Let Forum.

Paula said, "I am a great fan of the SMP's role in supporting people in the mortgage industry and promoting high standards of professionalism. I'm delighted to be joining such a talented board of people at an exciting time for the Society, and look forward to working with them to help evolve our sector."

 
Alec Wimbleton, Compliance and Business Assurance Director, Positive Lending

Alec holds a breadth of industry experience, having worked as a mortgage adviser within an estate agency, director of his own directly authorised firm, and currently as Compliance and Business Assurance Director at Positive Lending. Having joined Positive Lending in a sales role, Alec holds knowledge of selling, and now supervising, every type of specialist lending product available in the market. In his current role Alec has taken the business through MCD, ensuring the CeMAP qualification of all staff, he also managed the transition to GDPR, and is now steering the business through Consumer Duty requirements.Outside the workplace, Alec has also taught FPC and CeMap at college as a part-time lecturer.

Alec said, “I am delighted to be joining the SMP Board and hope to be able to share my knowledge and experience with the members and help to raise the profile of the Society.”

  Hannah Bashford, Mortgage and Protection Adviser, Model Financial Solutions Ltd

Hannah began her career as an administrator in the Friends Provident pension department, going on to work as an estate agent, supporting brokers working in mortgage and protection. She then joined Flight Centre Moneywise where she worked for several years as a paraplanner, before setting up Model Financial Solutions Ltd in 2012. Hannah has been nominated for industry recognition at the 2019 Women in Financial Advice Awards and the 2022 PFS Festival Awards.  

Hannah said, “I’m really excited to have been elected onto the Board and I am looking forward to getting stuck in with shaping the future of the SMP, helping its members with their advice journey and raising standards of professionalism within the industry.”