In January, Mortgage Solutions revealed Williams’ intention to step down by the end of this year.
Davies will be the first woman to be executive director and will shadow Williams from 1 June before formally taking over on 1 January.
Davies brings almost 30 years’ mortgage experience to the role, having served as a senior policy adviser at the Council of Mortgage Lenders (CML) and Building Societies Association (BSA).
She has also served as a non-executive director at Darlington Building Society, as standards officer for the Equity Release Council and was appointed chairperson of the Property Codes Compliance Board.
Her primary responsibilities will be to oversee IMLA’s operations and strategic direction, including coordinating member dialogue and initiatives on market and policy issues, relationship building, research and engagement with industry partners.
Policy specialist
IMLA chairman Kevin Purvey said the organisation was excited to bring in Davies as an experienced, high-profile policy specialist who was widely respected for her work in the UK and European mortgage sectors.
“As well as her comprehensive knowledge and expertise on market and regulatory issues, Kate is also very familiar with the challenges faced by trade bodies and the invaluable contributions they make to support the market and the consumers it serves,” he said.
“Her experience and skills make her a perfect candidate to build on Peter Williams’ contribution to IMLA and help to steer the organisation through an important period in its development, as a dedicated and democratic forum for a wide range of lenders to collaborate for the benefit of all concerned.”
Davies added that she was delighted to be joining IMLA.
“The role provides a fantastic opportunity to contribute to the most important industry and policy debates affecting the mortgage market, and work closely with IMLA’s fellow trade bodies, regulators and policy makers to help secure improvements to the operating environment,” she said.
“IMLA’s growing membership speaks volumes for the value that lenders see in working together to help inform this agenda, and I look forward to building on the invaluable work done by Peter Williams to grow IMLA’s profile and influence.”
