Mark Roberts

LDS names new relationship director



LDS, part of Landmark Group, has appointed Mark Roberts (pictured above) as a relationship director.


Mark has over 20 years of experience in the development finance space, having worked for a variety of lenders, including Investec, Nationwide and, most recently, Assetz Capital, where he spent three years and rose to the position of relationship director.

In his new role, Mark will use his previous experience as both a lender and broker to help LDS further grow its relationships.

Mark will also be responsible for managing the number of brokers and lenders using the recently launched LDS sales guarantee online engine.

The engine aims to reduce the risk of development finance for lenders by providing brokers, housebuilders or lenders with a bespoke sales guarantee proposal for a property development.

The LDS sales guarantee also may remove the need for mezzanine or similar finance options by releasing interest-free funds to developers on exchange. 

Backed by NHBC, Checkmate and ICW, LDS can underwrite the financing of sites, guaranteeing to acquire all units at a set price.

According to LDS, £477m of sales guarantee proposals have been requested and sent out via the LDS proptech engine in 2021.

Commenting on his appointment, Mark said: “I had become aware of the LDS offering as part of my former role in development finance and was quickly drawn to LDS’ mission to reduce risk for lenders, brokers and developers to help SME housebuilders to builds thousands more homes every year.

“LDS has the potential to transform the financing of residential development — there is a huge market for sales guarantees, with daily demand from developers, lenders and finance brokers all looking to reduce their risk and drive returns.”

Mark Hawthorn, CEO at Landmark Group, added: “We have known for some time that a major target audience for us are finance brokers and lenders. 

“This is a connected, yet distinctly different market from the property development industry, where most of our experience and contacts are. 

“It was key that we brought the right person in at this stage, and Mark has already proven his value in record time.
“We are becoming increasingly busy, as the markets come to understand the inherent benefits of sales guarantees.”



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