Russell (pictured) took up the role earlier this month and is reporting to Chris Blewitt, head of intermediaries. She will also work alongside the mutual’s first digital BDM, James Travers.
She has worked for Darlington Building Society for more than 13 years, starting as a mortgage adviser for the mutual before moving into a data-led role within the business development team last year on secondment.
Darlington Building Society has been investing in intermediary relationships after lending more than £240m in gross mortgages in the last financial year and outlining plans for further growth.
Russell said: “This role for me is all about collaboration and partnerships built on trust, shared knowledge and open feedback. Coming from a mortgage adviser role within Darlington, my principles very much lie with being accessible, supportive and working together on a solution-based approach with the client at the centre.
“This gives me a real opportunity to continue learning from the industry and getting to know the people behind the businesses and I am very excited about the years ahead.”
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Blewitt added: “Due to the success of her secondment, but also her clear ability to build relationships and support brokers, it was felt Rebecca should be moved into a permanent role as a digital BDM, building on the success of this role undertaken by James in the South East.
“Geographically, we are underweight in terms of business from firms in Wales and the South West, so this felt like the right focus for this new role. Our aim is to significantly grow those relationships this year and beyond, while giving firms a dedicated point of contact and underlining our commitment to the intermediary sector.”
