The Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) has appointed Stephanie Charman as its next chief executive.
Charman (pictured) who succeeds Robert Sinclair, joins the trade body on 24 February 2025 from Sesame Bankhall Group where she is currently group partnerships and propositions director.
She has also held distribution roles over the past 25 years at specialist distributor Positive Lending and mortgage network Mortgage Intelligence.
Andrew Montlake, chairman of AMI, said: “It was always going to be a momentous occasion when Robert finally decided to step down, and his unwavering commitment to the mortgage industry and efforts to foster collaboration between regulators, trade bodies, lenders and brokers have left an indelible mark on the sector.
“I want to thank him personally for all his guidance and it has been such a valuable and fun experience working with him.
“However, it is time to look to the future and after an exhaustive search we are delighted to have someone with the calibre and industry standing as Steph.
“Steph really impressed us with her clear passion for the industry, especially the importance of intermediary led advice, understanding the needs of mortgage brokers and her determination to lead AMI into a bright new dawn.
“I am excited to work with her on growing the reach of AMI, continuing to build and improve relationships with regulators and other trade bodies, and making sure we provide exceptional value to our members”.
Sinclair said: “In appointing Steph, the association has taken a critical step in passing ownership of our industry to the next generation. I cannot wait to see where the undoubted influence that AMI has can now be shaped to by her to continue to promote the intermediary and advice journey.”
Charman added: “I am genuinely thrilled to be appointed as the new CEO of AMI. Throughout my years of working across the intermediary sector I have been a passionate promoter of the need and value of advice.
“It’s a privilege to take on the responsibility of continuing the high standards already established whilst evolving AMI’s mission to address the current and future needs of advisers.
“Robert has been an exceptional advocate for our sector, tirelessly representing the needs and challenges faced by advisers. Thank you, Robert, for all you have done, and I am truly honoured to pick up the mantle and lead AMI into its next chapter.”
Over his career, Sinclair has held roles in personal, private, and corporate banking at HSBC and Santander, where he gained extensive experience in marketing, training, and internal audit. In 2006, he joined the Association of Independent Financial Advisers (AIFA), initially overseeing the Association of Finance Brokers.
By 2008, he was leading the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI), and in 2012, he played a key role in establishing AMI as an independent entity.
Richard Harrison, chief executive officer of Sesame Bankhall Group, said: “While we’re sad to see Steph leave SBG, we’re delighted for her to be taking up such a prominent industry position and wish her well in the new role.
“SBG is an active supporter of AMI and a member of its board, and we look forward to working together to promote the valuable service and good outcomes being delivered by the advice community to its many customers.”