The Lending Channel, the Perth-based specialist property finance broker, has recruited Simon Cocker as interim commercial director to help spearhead the next phase of its growth strategy.

Simon Cocker joins the management team at the rapidly growing business at a very exciting time in their development.

As well as a strong network of connections Cocker, pictured centre, brings with him extensive financial services experience having held senior roles with Bank of Scotland, Dunfermline Building Society and Royal London Group.

Managing director Alistair Ewing, pictured left, said: “We have spent the last few years establishing the foundations of our business and although we have grown over 500% since 2012 we feel that now is the right time to bring someone of Simon’s calibre into the business to assist us with our planning and strategy.”

And director Murray Ewing, pictured right, added: “This is a really exciting time for The Lending Channel and Simon is going to be helping us drive growth to the next level.”

Cocker said: “I believe the specialist finance market is well positioned to enjoy sustainable future expansion and I am delighted to be working with Alistair and Murray at TLC assisting them capitalising on this.

“With the way they do business and their approach to working in partnership with lenders, brokers and networks, I am confident we will be able to achieve above market growth rates.”

The Lending Channel operates in the commercial mortgage, second charge, bridging and finance markets, with the majority of their business being distributed through mortgage intermediaries.