Key expands corporate business development team

Independent equity release advisor Key has announced the expansion of its corporate business development team in response to growing industry demand.

More banks, building societies, insurance companies and other major brands has led to three new roles being created in the company.

Joining Paula Hughes (corporate business development director) will be Ian Chaplin as head of corporate sales, along with two new account relationship managers – Carly Proudfoot and Sean Shiels.

Key says its corporate team is keen to build upon the success achieved in working with existing long-term partners.

Chaplin brings more than two decades of experience in financial services to this new role, having previously worked as commercial director at ULS Technology and for Legal & General in various management positions.

What’s more, both new relationship managers have significant insight into creating collaborations for partners and customers, with Proudfoot having worked for 17 years in customer engagement roles and Shiels joining from Paymentshield, where he worked for almost seven years.

Paula Hughes comments: “Key’s corporate offering has a uniquely flexible structure that uses all of the Group’s capabilities to accommodate the varying ways in which organisations wish to engage with the equity release market.”

Will Hale, chief executive officer at Key, adds: “Increasingly older consumers and the organisations that serve them are realising that equity release can help with the numerous financial challenges that people face so it is essential that we have the right people in place to service this growing market.”

“Our corporate development team is integral to the future growth of our business as we prepare to step up to meet this need. I’d like to welcome Ian, Carly and Sean to the team.”