Openwork has announced a long-term agreement for specialist mortgage packaging with Solent Mortgage Services.
After a formal tendering exercise, the network said that Solent was selected as a result of significant investment being committed to enhance the proposition and grow its business.
This included a refreshed website which encompasses enhanced functionality for advisers, a new single application form across all panel lenders and a new sourcing capability to help advisers with complex specialist cases.
Under the banner of ‘The Mortgage Village’ Openwork is the inaugural corporate partner for Solent’s new lender proposition.
Paul Shearman, Openwork’s mortgage and protection proposition director, said that while the two firms have worked together for a number of years, their appointment was by no means a foregone conclusion.
“The team at SMS has really stepped up to the mark and, along with the support of its parent company Hoyl Group, has committed to significant investment in the business to ensure that its proposition is market leading for Openwork and the broader intermediary market.”
Ian Balfour, Solent’s chief executive, added that they already deal with a large number of Openwork firms.
“The investment we have made in our systems and support will see a growing range of new initiatives and services coming online in the coming months, which we believe will make our proposition the best in the market.”
ruth.gillbe@ft.com
