Blend hires Duncan Armstrong as portfolio asset manager
Specialist property lender Blend has appointed Duncan Armstrong (pictured) as portfolio asset manager.
Armstrong joins from Secure Trust Bank and will help Blend enhance its credit monitoring, monitor the existing loan book and provide ongoing support to borrowers through the loan lifecycle.
Prior to Secure Trust Bank, Armstrong worked at property lender Pluto and banks NatWest and Lloyds.
Blend said he will work in close collaboration with the lending team, headed by managing director David Alcock, to drive a strong performance across the firm’s development finance portfolio.
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Armstrong said he is excited to be joining Blend, heralding the “world class experienced people, technology infrastructure and flexible funding”.
“More importantly, we have a shared belief that an active portfolio management process is required to be not just a lender, but a solution-focused lender…I am enthusiastic about the opportunities in front of us, including our timing, and cannot wait to get started,” he added.
Armstrong’s appointment is the latest in a flurry of new, senior hires at Blend.
Last month, the lender named Claire McGirr as head of portfolio management and in September, it appointed David Alcock as managing director.
“We are incredibly pleased to welcome Duncan to Blend and believe he will bring a wealth of experience to our portfolio management team,” said Alcock. “He has an impressive track record working for over 25 years within the development finance market with some of the most prestigious firms in the sector. Blend was built to be home for incredibly talented and skilled property and finance professionals. Duncan personifies active portfolio management at its very best.”