Roma Finance has appointed James Parker as operations director as the specialist lender targets growing its loan book to more than £1bn by 2029.
Parker (main picture) joins following a career spanning more than 30 years across mortgage operations, commercial strategy, relationship management and business development. He was previously chief commercial officer at Computershare Loan Services.
He has already been working with Roma in a consultancy capacity and has been involved in several of the lender’s strategic initiatives, including its latest funding line from JP Morgan.
The facility is supporting Roma’s expansion into longer-term property finance, following the recent launch of commercial mortgages, with further products planned.
BROADER FUNDING JOURNEY
Roma is seeking to create a broader funding pathway that allows borrowers to move from short-term finance for refurbishment, conversion, construction and renovation projects into longer-term commercial mortgage and buy-to-let products with the same lender.
The strategy is also designed to allow brokers to remain involved with clients as their funding requirements change rather than potentially losing the relationship when a short-term facility reaches its exit.
Parker will work across the business to strengthen operational processes and support the delivery of new products and other strategic initiatives.
Scott Marshall, founder and managing director at Roma Finance, says: “We’re delighted to officially welcome James to the senior management team and look forward to the benefits of his commercial expertise and strategic insight, both of which will be invaluable as we build and invest in the people, infrastructure and proposition needed to achieve our ambitions for the business.
“What we’re creating at Roma is genuinely different. A customer can come to us for short-term finance to refurbish, convert, develop or renovate a property, with the potential to stay with us when they reach the point of needing a longer-term commercial mortgage or buy-to-let finance. That gives borrowers greater certainty around their funding strategy and removes the need to start again with a new lender as their requirements evolve.
“It also gives brokers something valuable: the ability to remain alongside their clients through more of their funding journey. That’s a powerful proposition for the borrower, the broker and ultimately for Roma, and it’s something we’re very focused on building.”
GROWTH INVESTMENT
Roma says its loan book has grown by 30% year-on-year, while headcount has increased by 24%. The lender has also invested in expanding its Manchester headquarters this year.
Parker says: “Having spent time working alongside the board and wider team, I’ve seen first-hand the ambition, expertise and culture that make Roma Finance such a unique business. The company has built an excellent reputation for delivering flexible funding solutions and putting customers at the heart of every decision.
“I’m excited to be joining at a pivotal stage in Roma’s growth and look forward to helping the business build on its strong foundations as it continues to expand its proposition and reach.”
Roma plans to continue broadening its product range across both short and longer-term property finance as it works towards its £1bn loan book target.
