Editor's note: This brief was summarised by The Property AI Newsroom from a report by Mortgage Solutions. Read the original article for full details.

Shepherds Friendly Appoints Laura Gauden as Head of Sales

Shepherds Friendly has appointed Laura Gauden as its new head of sales. The insurer aims to grow its relationships with intermediaries through this appointment.

Gauden brings over 20 years of experience in financial services, with a background in mortgage and insurance intermediary distribution. Her previous roles have included work in customer experience, multi-channel customer journeys, and people development. Most recently, she served as national sales manager at Newcastle Building Society, where she supported the implementation of its mortgage intermediary business strategy and managed the field and telephony business development team.

Gauden has also held positions at the Chartered Insurance Institute, Paymentshield, CHL Mortgages, Virgin Money, and Northern Rock. In her new role at Shepherds Friendly, she will oversee the sales team, deliver strategic sales leadership, drive revenue growth, and support the mutual’s proposition.

Shepherds Friendly stated that Gauden’s experience will be valuable as the company seeks to expand its presence in the intermediary market. The insurer recently announced a partnership with mortgage network Primis and has previously entered distribution agreements with SimplyBiz, Next Intelligence, Mortgage Intelligence, Paradigm, and The Money Group.

This appointment follows Laura Hassall rejoining Shepherds Friendly in the new role of head of strategic partnerships, having previously worked as its head of sales. Hassall will manage relationships with service providers and networks.

For UK letting agents and inventory clerks, these developments highlight ongoing changes in the intermediary and insurance landscape, which may impact partnerships and service offerings in the property sector.