Mercer (pictured) will lead recruitment for Primis, as well as helping the network’s appointed representatives (ARs) identify opportunities to grow. At TMA, her focus is to strengthen lender relationships and encourage wider use of the club’s lender and provider partnerships.
Mercer, who will report to LSL’s chief distribution officer Emma Hollingworth, brings more than 18 years’ financial services experience to the role, which includes senior positions at Atom Bank, Lloyds Banking Group and, more recently, LendInvest.
Hollingworth said: “[Paula] is a leader within the industry who brings an extensive understanding of the intermediary market, along with a strong track record in directing sales, broker relationships and business development. That experience will be central as she sets out her strategy to lead our sales teams, bring more firms into the Primis network and further strengthen our relationships with TMA members.”
Earlier this month, LSL’s financial services division reported a 3% year-on-year fall in revenue to £22.9m and a 20% decline in its underlying profit. The firm said it reflected the investment it had made in a new CRM system and a fall in adviser numbers, including the departure of protection-only firms last year.
