Paragon Bank appoints Louisa Sedgwick as managing director of mortgages – The Intermediary

Paragon Bank has announced the appointment of Louisa Sedgwick as the managing director of its mortgages division. Sedgwick, who joined Paragon in April 2023 as commercial director of mortgages, succeeds Richard Rowntree, who is moving on to a new role within the financial services industry.

With over 30 years of experience in the mortgage industry, Sedgwick is a well-regarded figure in the sector. Before joining Paragon, she served as managing director for specialist mortgages at Hampshire Trust Bank and held senior positions at Vida, Leeds Building Society, and Bradford & Bingley. In her time at Paragon, she has overseen the restructuring of the mortgage sales function and product offering, focusing on networks and clubs.

In addition to Sedgwick’s appointment, Paragon announced that Russell Anderson, currently the customer retention and partnerships director, will assume the role of commercial director, taking over Sedgwick’s previous responsibilities. Lisa Steele, who is the head of mortgage underwriting, has been promoted to mortgage lending director.

Sedgwick expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, stating, “I’m excited to get started in this new role and am proud to be leading Paragon’s mortgages division into what will be its 30th year in the buy-to-let market.

“Under Richard, and John Heron before him, Paragon has developed into the leading specialist buy-to-let lender in the market, enjoying an excellent reputation and boasting one of the best teams in the business. I look forward to building on their fantastic work.”

She added, “We are entering an exciting phase of our development with the imminent launch of our new, bespoke mortgage origination platform, with further digitalisation programmes also in the roadmap. With the buy-to-let market increasingly driven by portfolio landlords, we are well-placed to benefit from market growth.”

Nigel Terrington, Paragon Banking Group’s chief executive, praised Sedgwick’s appointment: “We are delighted that Louisa is stepping up to the mortgages managing director role. Her extensive experience and esteemed reputation in the mortgage sector, coupled with her dynamic leadership and strategic vision, make her the ideal candidate to steer Paragon towards our next stage of development and success.”

He also thanked Rowntree for his contributions: “Richard leaves with our thanks and gratitude. He has made a huge impact at Paragon over the last five years, not only in driving forward our mortgages digitalisation programme and the broader growth in new lending, but also for his work in social mobility through initiatives such as Progress Together. We wish him well for the future.”

Rowntree reflected on his time at Paragon, saying: “I’d like to thank the whole Paragon team for their support and friendship since I joined in 2020. I’m immensely proud of what we’ve achieved together and wish everyone well for the future.”