Simon Conn leaves Conti Financial Services Ltd - 26th January 2009

Conn leaves management team but stays on as technical consultant

Conti Financial Services Ltd has today announced that Simon Conn, Sales and Marketing Director, is leaving the company.

Simon has decided that, after 15 years with Conti, the time is right for him to embark on new ventures, something he has been thinking about for several years. He will, however, continue to advise Conti exclusively on a technical basis as a retained consultant. This takes place with immediate effect.

Simon comments: “I know that I’m leaving Conti in the safest of hands. The merger with Anchor Mortgages and introduction of a new management team means that I am under less pressure than in recent years and can undertake new projects which have been building in my mind for some time now.

“Conti stands in a very strong position in the marketplace. As the UK’s leading overseas mortgage specialist, it has established an extensive client base which has helped to secure the long term future of the business. That’s why I feel the time is right for me to pursue my new ventures.

“The fact that I’m staying on as a technical consultant speaks volumes about my positive relationship with the Conti team and that I’m still keen to contribute to the success of the company which I started from scratch in 1994.  I see it as a ‘win win’ situation.”

Simon has worked in the financial services industry since 1980, starting at Legal & General within its direct sales force, leaving to work as an IFA before setting up Conti in 1994. In October 2007, Conti merged with Anchor Mortgages Ltd, enabling the new company to give clients direct access not only to its expanding overseas mortgage market, but also to competitive mortgage deals for the purchase of property in the UK domestic market, for both UK residents and foreign nationals. Simon will announce details of his new projects in the near future.

Conti recently appointed Clare Nessling as Operations Director and Michael Axelrod as Commercial Director with a brief to review the business strategy and plan for the challenge of taking Conti forward as market leaders, not only in the overseas mortgage market, but also to offer clients a broader range of products and services.

Michael Axelrod, who has many years’ hands-on experience in the overseas property industry, will incorporate Simon’s role within his own. He comments: “We believe Conti needs to be in position to offer clients access to everything they require to buy or own a property abroad. Conti has built up a strong and respected brand but we must now adapt to the challenges of the changing market and ensure our business model reflects all of our clients’ needs.

“We have invested in our systems and infrastructure and are in discussions with partners to maximize synergies and to build a market leading service encompassing all areas of overseas property ownership. Recent investment in our website www.mortgagesoverseas.com, and our review of the organisation reflect Conti’s commitment to the marketplace and to plan for the future.

“Simon can rest assured that Conti is in good hands and we wish him the best of luck with his new ventures.”