Meet the Commercial Finance Team
A team of commercial finance specialists, committed to supporting businesses with tailored funding solutions and trusted financial expertise.
Tom Apjohn-Williams
Commercial Manager
Tom Apjohn-Williams
Commercial Manager
About
Tom joined Cornerstone in August 2024 following his graduation from the University of Bath with a 2:1 BSc in Business, which included industry placements in Account Management and Marketing. Having progressed through Cornerstone’s Graduate Scheme, Tom was appointed Commercial Manager in April 2025. He is also continuing his studies post-university, working towards his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
t.apjohn-williams@cornerstonefinance.co.uk
Jennifer Bloxsome
Commercial Manager
Jennifer Bloxsome
Commercial Manager
About
Jennifer Bloxsome is a specialist Mortgage and Protection Adviser with a strong focus on property investors and complex lending cases. As both an adviser and an active property investor, she brings a practical, real-world understanding to every recommendation she makes.
Jennifer advises on a wide range of residential and investment finance, including buy-to-let, portfolio landlords, limited company structures, bridging finance, semi-commercial property, and other complex scenarios that sit outside standard high-street criteria. Her approach is rooted in suitability, sustainability, and long-term strategy, rather than simply securing a rate.
She works closely with clients to understand not only the immediate transaction but the wider objectives behind it. This often includes supporting investors through growth stages, refinance strategies, and longer-term planning, alongside ensuring appropriate protection solutions are in place.
Jennifer prides herself on clear communication, attention to detail, and a compliance-led mindset. She thrives on making complex finance feel understandable and well structured, believing that good advice should be considered and tailored - never rushed or transactional.
Outside of advising, Jennifer remains actively involved in the property investment space, allowing her to stay grounded in the realities her clients face and continually refine her advice with practical insight.
Steven Darbyshire
Head of Commercial Finance (North)
Steven Darbyshire
Head of Commercial Finance (North)
About
Steven has worked in Financial Services since 2005, spending most of his career with the NatWest/RBS Group as a Relationship Manager. He later joined Together Money and The Sancus Group, where he deepened his expertise in bridging and development finance. After 18 years on the lending side, Steven made the transition to broking - and hasn’t looked back since. His wealth of experience enables him to provide tailored solutions across residential, buy-to-let, bridging, and development finance.
In his spare time he enjoys spending time with his family and tries to keep fit where he can.
Hilary Foster
Customer Service Manager
Hilary Foster
Customer Service Manager
About
Hilary is a part-time Triage Officer who joined the Cornerstone team in January 2023, bringing a wealth of life experience and common sense to her role. Her professional career was in retail banking, where she held a variety of roles including Risk, Branch, and Human Resource Management, gaining professional qualifications in each area.
She later took on further roles in Mortgage Regulation and Compliance and holds the CeMAP qualification.
Ben Gauci
Commercial Manager
Ben Gauci
Commercial Manager
About
Ben joined Cornerstone in October 2022, beginning his career in our Compliance department. During this time, he successfully achieved his CII Level 3 Certificate in Mortgage Advice, building a strong foundation in regulated mortgage advice and compliance practices.
Prior to joining Cornerstone, Ben completed his postgraduate studies at the University of South Wales, graduating with a Master’s degree in Finance and Investment with distinction.
In January 2024, Ben transitioned into our Commercial team, where he now specialises in a range of property finance solutions, including both regulated and unregulated bridging finance, complex buy-to-let mortgages, and commercial mortgage arrangements.
Dedicated to CPD, Ben is currently studying towards his Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.
Neil Hillard
Business Development Manager
Neil Hillard
Business Development Manager
About
Neil brings a wealth of industry experience to his role as Business Development Manager. He entered financial services in 1988, becoming an IFA, and spent four years with HSBC advising commercial and corporate clients. Neil joined Cornerstone in 2022, having previously run his own mortgage brokerage for several years. He is CeMAP qualified and a property specialist, with expertise in bridging finance, buy-to-let, commercial and residential investment, and commercial owner-occupier transactions.
Mark James
Senior Commercial Manager
Mark James
Senior Commercial Manager
About
Mark has 39 years’ experience in banking, with more than half of his career spent in frontline relationship roles working with local businesses across a wide range of sectors. He is highly motivated to tailor commercial finance solutions that help businesses invest, grow, and achieve their goals.
Outside of work Mark is a family man and enjoys time with his wife, children and grandchildren and also likes to walk, read and enjoys most sports.
Leyton Lee
Commercial Support Officer
Leyton Lee
Commercial Support Officer
About
Leyton Lee joined us straight after finishing his Economics degree, making us his first step into the world of commercial finance. He brings a solid analytical mindset, a proactive approach, and a real enthusiasm for growing his financial know-how. He’s settled in quickly and says the team has been first-class when it comes to support, collaboration, and sharing knowledge.
Outside of work, Leyton’s usually watching or playing football, keeping active in the gym, or working on both his professional and personal development.
John Maude
Head of Commercial Finance (Midlands)
John Maude
Head of Commercial Finance (Midlands)
About
John has over 36 years of experience in business and commercial banking, predominantly supporting SMEs, and he’s committed to helping Midlands-based businesses access the tailored financial solutions they need to thrive. Previously, John served as Regional Managing Director for the Midlands, Southwest & Wales at NatWest, followed by 18 months as Head of Business Banking Portfolio Management. At Cornerstone, John aims to establish the brand as the premier commercial finance broker in the Midlands, offering bespoke advice and dedicated support to clients striving for growth.
Kevin Morgan
Managing Director, Cornerstone Commercial Finance
Kevin Morgan
Managing Director, Cornerstone Commercial Finance
About
Kevin joined Cornerstone Finance Group in September 2023, bringing with him an extensive 34-year career in commercial finance. Prior to joining Cornerstone, Kevin spent over three decades at NatWest, where he held a range of front-line roles, including senior management positions in Business & Commercial Lending underwriting in Birmingham and leadership roles within Business Banking across Wales and the M4 corridor.
A passionate advocate for entrepreneurship, Kevin believes that it is vital to the growth and prosperity of both the economy and communities. He is dedicated to building a culture that inspires, supports, and fosters growth and entrepreneurial spirit.
Loui O’Brien
Commercial Manager
Loui O’Brien
Commercial Manager
About
Loui brings over three years of experience supporting trading businesses and property investors with their financial requirements in his role as a Commercial Manager at Cornerstone Finance.
After graduating with a degree in Business Management from Cardiff University, Loui began his career in the logistics sector, completing a graduate scheme that laid the foundation for his professional development.
In March 2022, he transitioned into financial services, joining Cornerstone to pursue his interest in commercial finance. Since then, he has achieved his CII Level 3 Certificate in Mortgage Advice and has established himself as a specialist in delivering tailored financial solutions to a broad range of clients.
Sharon Preddy
Customer Service Manager
Sharon Preddy
Customer Service Manager
About
Sharon brings over 42 years of financial services experience to her role as Commercial Support Officer. She joined Cornerstone in 2020 following a 33-year career at NatWest, where she held roles in both retail and business banking before moving into the merchant card services industry. Sharon also has experience running her own business and working for the Federation of Small Businesses.
Chris Preston
Head of Commercial Finance (Southwest)
Chris Preston
Head of Commercial Finance (Southwest)
About
Chris has 35 years’ experience leading, supporting, and advising SME and personal clients, gained through a distinguished career with NatWest and RBS. He most recently served as Regional Managing Director for the South West and Wales and was also Regional Board Chairman.
He has broad, hands-on experience across multiple sectors, including retail, leisure and hospitality, manufacturing, property development, and agriculture.
He is well connected and provides a valuable network and resource, offering independence, objectivity, and creativity to management teams and businesses.
Jamie Ringer
Sales Director
Jamie Ringer
Sales Director
About
Jamie is a dynamic sales director known for his strategic leadership, results-driven mindset, and ability to build high-performing teams. With over 12 years of experience in commercial finance industry, Jamie has led transformative initiatives across multiple sectors, consistently exceeding targets and driving sustainable growth.
Before transitioning into the corporate world, Jamie enjoyed a successful career as a professional rugby player. Representing Wales at every level including senior caps, he developed a deep understanding of teamwork, resilience, and performance under pressure - qualities that have become hallmarks of his leadership style in business.
Drawing from his time on the pitch, Jamie brings a unique blend of competitive spirit and strategic thinking to his sales leadership. He is passionate about mentoring others, fostering a winning culture, and aligning sales operations with long-term organizational goals.
Today, James continues to channel the discipline and focus that defined his rugby career into his role as a sales director, helping companies scale through innovation, customer-centric strategies, and agile sales execution.
Jon Roberts
Head of Real Estate
Jon Roberts
Head of Real Estate
About
Jon joined Cornerstone Finance in November 2024 as Head of Real Estate, following a successful 30-year career in commercial banking across Wales and the Midlands. For the past 15 years, he held specialist roles within the NatWest and Santander Real Estate teams in the Midlands, focusing on portfolio investment and development funding.
Simone Rosenstand
Commercial Manager
Simone Rosenstand
Commercial Manager
About
Simone Christina Rosenstand is a Specialist Finance Broker with expertise across bridging, development, BTL and HMO, commercial mortgages, as well as asset and invoice finance. After ten years as a science teacher, she progressed into roles as Business Development Manager and Operations Manager at a boutique finance brokerage. It was here that Simone honed her signature talent: transforming complex numbers, intricate structures, and chaotic deal scenarios into clear, confident decisions for her clients.
Known for her transparency, meticulous breakdown of every fee and option, and her calm approach even in the messiest transactions, Simone supports clients through challenging situations with equal parts structure, empathy, and humour. As a Danish national, she also enjoys helping foreign investors navigate the UK finance landscape with confidence and ease.
Alongside her brokering, Simone is active member of BNI in London and wider professional networks, while also producing video and written finance education content that help property investors and business owners navigate funding decisions with clarity and confidence. Her goal is to make finance feel more human, understandable and far less intimidating, to make sure people can make the right educated decision.
Lynn Ross
Commercial Manager
Lynn Ross
Commercial Manager
About
Lynn has over 39 years experience of Banking and Finance having worked for NatWest for the majority of her career. Most recently Lynn was the Business Growth Enabler for Plymouth & South Devon where she was responsible for running the successful NatWest Boost events and for providing entrepreneurial support for growth businesses.
Lynn is an experienced finance professional who is passionate about helping business owners make the most of their business helping them access the support they need to grow and thrive
Liam Schewitz
Commercial Manager
Liam Schewitz
Commercial Manager
About
Liam has worked in specialist and commercial lending and protection since 2005. He has carved a reputation in the short-term lending and commercial investment space, leading various organisations throughout his career. He brings all his experience across from his directorship of a firm undertaking regulated activities into the non regulated space, committing himself to delivering a tangible difference to his clients and introducers alike.
Outside of his working life, Liam enjoys sport, writing, comedy and running his community interest group "The Kindness Project" which purchases Christmas gifts for economically deprived children.
Jake Thomas
Commercial Manager
Jake Thomas
Commercial Manager
About
Jake joined Cornerstone in August 2024 as part of the Compliance team, where he developed a solid understanding of regulatory frameworks and industry practices. He holds a degree in Business Management from Cardiff Metropolitan University and began his career at Cornerstone immediately after completing his studies.
After 8 months, Jake transitioned to the Commercial team and now works as a Commercial Manager. In this role, he is focused on supporting clients with tailored financial solutions, including commercial mortgages and alternative funding options.