LDS Sales Guarantees (LDS) has appointed Ben Jenkinson, former head of development finance products at Homes England, as its regional director for London and the South. He joins LDS at a time of fast growth, as its Sales Guarantee product continues to enable lenders to lend more and SME housebuilders to build more.
Ben joins LDS from Homes England, the Government’s housing accelerator, where he spent four years in senior roles, successfully delivering more than £2 billion of development finance joint ventures alongside both private and public sector partners. His background also includes through-cycle real estate finance experience at a senior level with Nationwide and Royal Bank of Scotland.
Ben has built up strong connections within the lending market over his twenty years in real estate finance. At LDS, he will work across the market to form alliances with quality lenders and capital providers – combining Sales Guarantees and development debt to harness the massive latent potential for SMEs to build more new homes.
“I love the product,” explained Ben. “It’s just what the market needs – a genuinely credible piece of innovation with a hugely important purpose – to help SMEs build more new homes.”
“As well as improving lenders’ credit profile, the Sales Guarantee releases cash to allow SMEs to build more and build quicker. This combination is powerful in even the most challenging market conditions – so we are going to be busy! I look forward to building a diverse and creative team to keep us innovating as we grow”.
Ben will be based in LDS’ new offices within the Shard Quarter, London Bridge and will immediately commence recruitment.
“Ben’s pedigree in development finance and product creation presents an ideal combination for LDS. Leading our operations in London and the South, he is already making a noticeable difference to the team; helping to bring our offering to more lenders as we continue to reframe the development finance landscape,” commented Mark Hawthorn, CEO at LDS Sales Guarantees.
