We’re excited to announce that former Bluestone Chief Operating Officer for APAC, Tim Miller, has been appointed to the newly created role of Chief Operating Officer at Stonebridge
Miller’s 20-years in financial services has covered operations, sales, relationship management, and business development – the common thread throughout has been working closely with intermediaries.
As one of the largest independent mortgage and protection networks in the UK, we now arrange more than £13 billion of mortgage lending each year and this continues to grow at pace.
On the back of three years of solid and consistent annual growth, including sector-leading results in recruitment of advisers, we set out to increase bench-strength in our senior team as part of a three-year strategic plan. Integral to which has been the appointment at the end of 2023 of a new sales chief, John Scrivens from Skipton Building Society, and the addition in November 2024 of Mark Bailey, formerly of Rightmove and Barclays, as our first Chief Technology Officer.
The appointment of a Chief Operating Officer is a first in the history of the company and marks our continued commitment to maintaining a high calibre senior management team that befits the pace of growth of network membership, which now stands at well over 1,300 advisers.
A thorough selection process for a Chief Operating Officer started earlier this year and our directors interviewed what they described as a very strong field of candidates.
Miller will assume accountabilities for all operations functions, including authorisations and supervision. He will head up Risk Policy and Audit, as well as the firm’s People, Culture, and HR functions.
Miller, who has 20 years’ experience in financial services as an operations lead, will join the Executive Team alongside Martyn Franklin, Group Finance Director, and Mark Bailey, Chief Technology Officer. He will report to Chief Executive, Rob Clifford.
Rob Clifford, Chief Executive, commented:
“You go into exec headhunting with optimism, but often it’s a tricky search for the ideal person. It was really great to meet some truly exceptionally talented and experienced people who wanted to join Stonebridge as our COO. By the end of a long and considered process, my colleagues and I were unanimous in our decision, and we’re delighted that Tim jumped at this rare opportunity to join a network that’s setting the gold standard in adviser support.”
Miller added:
“I’ve spent the bulk of my career supporting broker and adviser networks, helping them grow sustainably while keeping customer outcomes front and centre. So, I’m extremely pleased to be joining the team here at Stonebridge. It’s a business with a strong reputation and a clear sense of purpose, and I’m looking forward to playing my part to continue serious tech deployment and delivering operational gains, thereby supporting the next phase of growth.”
If you’re a mortgage and protection adviser who wants to support your clients through a changing market – with the backing of a growing network, industry-leading tech, and expert operational support – get in touch to see how our proposition can work for you.
