The firm has been set up by long-time strategy, design and marketing consultant Matt Smith, owner of WPB.
Members include:
- Stephen Smith, former director of housing strategy at Legal & General
- Lynda Blackwell, former mortgage sector manager and author of the Mortgage Market Review at the Financial Conduct Authority
- Tony Ward, an experienced chief executive and chairman at a range of mortgage lenders and current chairman of Landbay, Link Mortgage Services and director at Fortris, Bank of Clients PLC and CEO at Home Funding
- Fionnuala Earley, non-executive director at Bath Building Society and housing economist formerly holding a range of high profile roles including head of residential research at Hamptons International, Countrywide chief economist, Nationwide chief economist and RBS economist
- Sarah Davidson, knowledge and product editor at This is Money and the MailOnline
- Matt Smith, owner of WPB, strategy consultant and editor of Future Housing and managing director of The Chair
The consultancy said each expert brings to the boardroom a unique perspective on a client’s business and delivers a bespoke boardroom away-day experience for executive and non-executive directors, designed around that institution’s particular areas of concern.
The Chair Consultancy launched at the House of Lords last night during an inaugural annual dinner where guests from a wide background in financial services and contingent experts discussed themes affecting the industry with a focus on technology.
Matt Smith said: “Business is facing more issues and complexity than ever before and the time is right for an organisation like this.
“We are offering a new model for accessing this kind of expertise and experience. The consultancy market is full of companies that can help you with how to achieve certain ends but far fewer that can help you decide ‘what’ you should be doing.”
He added: “Our experts cover everything from regulation to distribution, from funding to technology, from consumer behaviour and requirements to developments in housing policy.”
