Amicus launches commercial mortgage arm as part of expansion drive

Rob Lankey has been appointed managing director of the newly created Amicus Commercial Mortgages, and he will be working with a specialist group of brokers to target a spectrum of small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sectors, property types and borrower risks.

Lanky joined Amicus in May 2017 as part of its lending diversification strategy, and will now work alongside David Stiff as director of partner relationships.

Based in Peterborough, Amicus Commercial will work with master brokers to process applications on its behalf, as well as working its own network of introducers.

Keith Aldridge (pictured), managing director at Amicus Finance, said: “Led by a highly experienced team coupled with an expert panel of carefully selected brokers, valuers and solicitors, Amicus Commercial Mortgages is an exciting extension of our capabilities in the property lending sector.

“SMEs and property investors are increasingly turning to specialist lenders who have the local knowledge and skills to understand their specific needs.

Our localised relationship-based approach resonates well with fast growing SMEs looking for specialist lending.”

Risk based

The business employs a risk-based pricing model, paperless processing system, and offers manual underwriting for complex deals and direct access to underwriters.

Lankey and Stiff will be working alongside a senior team which will include Steve Prydderch as head of credit and special servicing, Luke Watson as head of underwriting, Graham Ritchie as senior lending manager, and Mike Williams as head of operations.

Lankey commented: “I’m delighted to be launching Amicus Commercial Mortgages.”

“Having led and established commercial mortgage businesses for most of my career, and most recently being chief executive officer of the NACFB, I understand better than anyone what it takes to run a successful commercial mortgage operation,” he continued.

Laneky added: “Our panel of brokers has been carefully chosen, representing years of close personal, trusted relationships and will be regularly reviewed and expanded with more high-quality brokers as needs dictate.”

Indeed, Amicus Commercial said that it expects to grow its headcount to 65 staff over the next five years, from the current number of 22.

David Whittaker, chief executive officer of Mortgages for Business, commented: “The broker market will be delighted to see Rob back as managing director of a new specialist lender.

“He brings a real passion to commercial mortgages and a wholehearted commitment to service delivery and broker relationships.

“I’ve no doubt that the market will be looking forward to the roll-out of this proposition in the weeks ahead.”