Title: MS Wired: BTL Britain ‘Finding the New Normal’
Sponsor: 
Date: January 27th 2017
Panellists:
- John Eastgate, Sales & Marketing Director, OneSavings Bank
- Darren Winder, Head of Economics & Strategy, Lazarus Research
- David Hollingworth, Associate Director, London & Country Mortgages
- David Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer, Mortgages for Business
Chair: Sam Barker, Deputy Editor, Mortgage Strategy
Topics discussed:
- What was the state of the BTL market at the end of 2016?
- Brexit – What does Brexit mean for the housing market in 2017?
- Government housing – White paper due in January
- What impacts or implications will the new PRA underwriting standards have for brokers, landlords and lenders?
- What do you think the long term outlook for BTL is?
Panellist Biographies
John Eastgate, Sales & Marketing Director, OneSavings Bank
John joined OneSavings Bank (OSB) as Sales & Marketing Director in June 2012 and was a member of the Executive team that saw it, in June 2014, become the first bank to float on the London Stock Exchange in a decade.
John’s is responsible for the mortgage and savings product range, mortgage distribution, the branch network and marketing. He is also responsible for the Bank’s Investor Relations function. During his time at OSB, the bank has more than trebled in size and now deals with all of the leading mortgage distributors in the UK, emerging as a leader in the specialist lending field, with particular expertise in the buy to let and commercial markets, through its Kent Reliance and InterBay lending brands. The bank also offers development finance and second charge loans
Championing the need for a successful and sustainable housing market, John is a frequent commentator on market issues in both the national, trade and consumer press and has argued that the raft of governmental changes and increased regulation will only help to professionalise and sustain the sector. As a member of IMLA, he has used this forum to effectively promote these themes.
Prior to joining OneSavings Bank, John was an Executive Director at Saffron Building Society. He has over twenty-five years’ experience in financial services, both in banks and building societies, and in associated consultancy partners. During that time he has held senior roles at both Barclays and, more recently, Experian, where he was responsible for Experian Decision Analytics’ relationships with a number of large high street banks.
Darren Winder, Head of Economics & Strategy, Lazarus Research
Darren is Head of Economics and Strategy at Lazarus Research and started his career at The Bank of England in 1988 where he spent five years working within the International and UK Economics divisions. In 1993 Darren joined SG Warburg/UBS becoming their Chief UK Economist in 1994 and was appointed Head of UK Economics and Equity Strategy in 2000. In 2006 Darren joined Cazenove as Head of Economics and Strategy. Following the takeover of Cazenove by JP Morgan in 2010, Darren joined Oriel Securities as Head of Economics and Strategy, leaving in 2013 to set up the Economics & Strategy business within The Lazarus Research, an independent research consultancy. Darren produces extensive analysis of the UK Economy and the UK Equity Market.
David Whittaker, Chief Executive Officer, Mortgages for Business
A colourful figure within the mortgage industry, David is renowned for telling it like it is. He established Mortgages for Business in 1990 and has grown the company into a successful independent brokerage which regularly wins prominent industry awards. This year, Mortgages for Business won the title of Buy to Let Broker of the Year for the fifth year in a row.
David’s knowledge and experience of property investment finance is unsurpassed, as such, he is frequently asked to speak to landlords, brokers and lenders about the shape of the market. Journalists are also interested in what he has to say and is often quoted in both the national and trade press.
A believer in setting standards, David was instrumental in establishing the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB) in 1992 and has twice been its president.
David is also the managing director of lending brand Keystone Property Finance which offers a variety of different finance options to both residential and commercial landlords backed by funding from Aldermore Bank, Paratus AMC and Together Money.
At the Business Moneyfacts Awards 2009, David’s work within the mortgage industry was recognised by a Lifetime Achievement Award presented to him by writer, presenter and comedian Sandy Toksvig.
David Hollingworth, Associate Director, London & Country Mortgages
London & Country is a fee-free mortgage broker offering advice across the market to borrowers throughout the UK from its offices in Bath, Newcastle and London.
David regularly provides market commentary on new product developments and topical market issues to national and trade press and broadcast media.
