bClear has made two appointments as part of its strategy to expand and strength its mortgage PR team. James Staunton, who started in mortgage PR in 2001, has been appointed as a director at bClear. He joins the firm from Air Cover PR, which is a consultancy for intermediary-focused industries, which he founded in 2020. Ellie Williams also joins the firm, serving as client services director. She brings over two decades of experience to the role, with a background in B2B and B2C communications, specifically in the tech, fintech and financial services sectors. Williams joins from Australian consultancy, Palmero, where she served as owner and managing director.

Suffolk Building Society has cut rates across its 14 80% LTV buy-to-let (BTL), holiday let and expat products ranges. On the lender’s BTL range, rates now start from 5.55% and 5.39% on two- and five-year fixes respectively, while light refurb rates have been cut to 5.65% and 5.49% respectively. On its holiday let range, two-year fixes have been reduced to 5.65%, while five-year fixes now start from 5.45%. Expat residential rates have also been reduced, with two and five-year fixes starting rom 5.69% and 5.49% respectively.

Ian Jackson has been appointed as business development manager (BDM) for the North West at Shawbrook. He brings a background in financial services to the role, with an understanding of lending assessments, products and facilities in the nigh-net-worth commercial market, while also building relationships across the intermediary network. As part of his new role, Jackson will build and grow relationships with new and existing broke partners across the North West.

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