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West One Expands Mortgage Division: What it Means for UK Borrowers in 2026

West One s expansion of its mortgage division, including the promotion of Jason Ruse to National Account Manager, aims to streamline the mortgage process for borrowers across the UK.

By David Sampson
30 April 2026
3 min read
Mortgage118 Insights
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TL;DR

  • West One s expansion of its mortgage division, including the promotion of Jason Ruse to National Account Manager, aims to streamline the mortgage process for borrowers across the UK..
  • In this article: Impact on Mortgage Borrowers Market Context Frequently Asked Questions As of April 2026, West One has made significant internal promotions to expand its mortgage division.
  • This move, which includes the promotion of Jason Ruse to National Account Manager, is expected to strengthen broker partnerships and streamline the mortgage process for borrowers across the UK.

As of April 2026, West One has made significant internal promotions to expand its mortgage division. This move, which includes the promotion of Jason Ruse to National Account Manager, is expected to strengthen broker partnerships and streamline the mortgage process for borrowers across the UK.

Impact on Mortgage Borrowers

First-Time Buyers

For a first-time buyer considering a £250,000 repayment mortgage at 90% loan-to-value (LTV), this development could mean a more efficient process. Assuming a typical rate of 3.75%, the monthly payment would be approximately £1,157. West One’s commitment to improving its operations could potentially reduce processing times, making the journey to homeownership quicker and smoother.

Remortgagers

For a homeowner looking to remortgage a £200,000 property at 75% LTV, the monthly repayment at the current base rate of 3.75% would be around £926. With West One’s new roving underwriter in South Wales, remortgagers in the region could benefit from more responsive on-site support, potentially speeding up the remortgage process.

Landlords

For landlords considering a £300,000 interest-only buy-to-let mortgage, the monthly payment at a typical rate of 3.75% would be approximately £937. With the expansion of West One’s mortgage division and the strengthening of broker partnerships, landlords could potentially benefit from quicker application times and more responsive support.

Market Context

Over the past year, the Bank of England base rate has risen from 3.5% to 3.75%. This increase has put upward pressure on mortgage rates, making West One’s efforts to streamline its processes and strengthen partnerships even more significant. The company’s focus on internal talent development and expansion of its mortgage division is a positive move in a market where efficiency and customer service are key. A year ago, the mortgage market was facing challenges due to the economic impact of the pandemic. However, the market has shown resilience with the base rate remaining relatively stable and lenders like West One making strategic moves to improve their offerings and services.

Frequently Asked Questions

How will West One’s expansion affect my mortgage application?

The company’s internal promotions aim to streamline the mortgage process, potentially leading to quicker application times. This could be particularly beneficial for first-time buyers, remortgagers and landlords.

What does a National Account Manager do?

Jason Ruse, the newly appointed National Account Manager, will provide dedicated support to club and network partners across the UK. He will also work closely with the regional sales team to build and strengthen broker partnerships.

What is a roving underwriter?

A roving underwriter works closely with broker partners in a specific region, in this case, South Wales. Their role is to streamline the journey from enquiry to completion on appropriate cases while delivering more responsive on-site support.

How does the base rate affect my mortgage?

The base rate is the interest rate set by the Bank of England. It influences the interest rates offered by lenders, including mortgage rates. A rise in the base rate often leads to an increase in mortgage rates.

About David Sampson

David Sampson writes about the UK mortgage market for Mortgage118, covering specialist lending, market trends, and practical advice for borrowers. All content is reviewed for accuracy against FCA guidelines and current market data.

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