Crystal Specialist Finance (CSF) has appointed Frances Winstanley as its head of second charge lending.

One of the business’s five core specialist divisions, the team has seen a large increase in activity over the last 12 months due to the macro-economic environment whereby purchase transactions are down across the industry, while remortgages and product transfers are steadily increasing.

Winstanley joins from A-Plan Insurance where she held the position of senior account executive, before which she worked for Ocean Finance & Mortgages and will report directly to Jo Breeden, managing director of CSF.

Breeden said: “Second charge lending is playing an increasingly significant role in the specialist sector, with more products available and rates coming down.

“It is important for the business that we continue to grow in this sector and as always we will advise brokers and their clients on the best and most viable products available for their specific needs, transparency remains the key.”

CSF operates across five specialist divisions: bridging, commercial, development finance, second charge loans and specialist mortgages.

The business is open to applications on all types of properties in England, Scotland and Wales, with the company having access to over 80 lenders, including exclusive product lines.