Profile
“Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
Sophie Kettle is a seasoned professional in the financial services industry, currently serving as the commercial director at LendInvest, a position she has held since Autumn 2022. With a robust career spanning 18 years, she brings a wealth of experience in specialist lending, buy-to-let and homeowner mortgages.
Before her promotion to commercial director, she adeptly managed LendInvest’s sales team for three years, building strong relationships and driving revenue growth. Her journey at LendInvest began as a business development manager, where she honed her skills in both long-term and short-term lending products.
In her current role, Kettle is instrumental in shaping LendInvest’s mortgage offerings, including the launch of a new residential mortgage suite at the end of 2022. This suite was successfully introduced to the market in early 2023, reflecting her strategic vision and commitment to innovation. Kettle is known for her leadership abilities and her dedication to delivering exceptional client solutions, making a significant impact on the growth and success of LendInvest. Her passion for the industry and her expertise continue to drive the company forward in a competitive market.
4-8 Maple Street, London, W1T 5HD
07970 250 386
Holly.Morrison@Paragonbank.co.uk
linkedin.com/in/sophie-kettle-mitchell-charman-3903b385
lendinvest.com
Sophie Kettle
Commercial Director
LendInvest
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Milestones
“The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns”
Jack Kuhn
Westfield Specialty
2007–2011
2011–2017
2017–2020
2020–2022
Present
2007–2009: Mortgage Broker at Countrywide Mortgage Services
2009–2011: Financial Advisor at Spicerhaart
2007–
2011
2011–2015: Business Development Manager at McCurrach
2015: Business Development Manager at Bridgebank Capital
2015–2017: Business Development Manager at Mint Bridging
2011–
2017
Business Development Manager at LendInvest
2017–
2020
Sales Director at LendInvest
2020–
2022
Commercial Director at LendInvest since 2022
Present
Assistant Vice President and Senior Broker at MJ Hall & Company since 2018
Present
Milestones
Aug 2022
Milestones
Sept 2021
Feb 2022
Apr 2022
Jul 2022
Aug
2022
Suncorp Bank introduces Solar Home Bonus offer for customers who are choosing renewable energy for their homes
Sept 2021
Month-on-month market share growth commences
Feb 2022
Suncorp Bank wins the Canstar award for most outstanding value in investment loans
Apr 2022
Suncorp Bank wins Money Magazine’s Bank of the Year and Business Bank of the Year awards for the fifth year in a row
Jul 2022
Suncorp Bank’s turnaround times are the lowest they have ever been. The lender becomes Australia’s first certified carbon neutral bank for both its operation and transaction services
Aug 2022
Milestones
Kuhn says, “I would say my career has been one of more of chance and opportunities than a set plan. And it’s interesting how one decision has a ripple effect on putting you on a different path than maybe where you thought you would be.”
He highlights his spell at Endurance as his biggest professional achievement to date.
“It took some time, but we took them from really being viewed as a reinsurance company to being viewed as a global insurance company.”
It’s this type of innovative attitude that is powering Westfield Specialty forward so successfully.
Kuhn explains, “Westfield Specialty and I have been trying to make sure we are opportunistic in the marketplace and that has allowed us to grow profitably and create a broader and more diversified portfolio.”
Part of this has seen the firm acquire the existing Lloyd’s of London Syndicate 1200 in February 2023. It is also Kuhn’s ingenuity that has allowed Westfield Specialty to outperform expectations in challenging market conditions.
“I would say it’s been the understanding that there is a limited window of time. We're in this unique market, we need to be fast and decisive to take advantage of market opportunities before the market begins to move away,” he comments. “Additionally, I'd like to say we move with a lot of speed, but we do it in a thoughtful and methodical approach, not just to be the first.”
However, it has been an intricate process to ensure his team are onboard with his vision. Kuhn places importance of explaining his targets and the blueprint to achieve them.
He adds, “The biggest challenge is getting everyone comfortable with the pace that I’m looking for to drive our buildout and growth. How I deal with it is by being open and transparent, and responsive to questions or concerns. This way, everything gets thoroughly discussed and resolved.”
With almost four decades in the industry, Kuhn has developed methods that have consistently delivered. It is why he has been tasked with so many leadership roles and he intends to maintain his focus on creating more success at Westfield Specialty.
“I think I am and have always tried to be methodical. I look at the big picture yet stay focused on executing the different opportunities or plans that I have in front of me. I don’t get emotional or make emotional decisions.”
Chief underwriting officer of executive risk at Chubb
President of financial insurance solutions at Kemper
Chief underwriting officer at Axis Capital
CEO of global Insurance at Endurance
CEO of global Insurance at Sompo International
Kuhn joined Westfield Specialty in the firm’s first year (2021) and has established the company’s presence in the specialty market. By the end of 2023, the firm is expected to surpass $1.3 billion in GWP after writing $300 million in 2021.
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