Smith brings significant mortgage and financial services experience to the role, having previously worked within the intermediary mortgage market at lenders, Platform and The Co-operative Bank.
The CA said it was deeply disappointed that work on the scheme appeared to be progressing despite the MoJ having yet to publish its formal response to the consultation which closed in March.
Countrywide Surveying Services has renewed its valuation services contract with Coventry Building Society for a further five years, with the agreement also covering Co-op Bank.
Some 35% of buyers said the presence of damp or structural problems would stop them making an offer, rising to more than 40% among first-time buyers and family movers.
Launched in September 2024, conveybuddy now has 4,200 registered mortgage brokers, up from 2,400 at the end of its first year.
Digital Verification Service providers certified under the new UK trust framework can use the UK CertifID trust mark from today, a move expected to support wider use of reusable digital identity across mortgages and homebuying.
Data from House Buyer Bureau showed that 52% of sellers were part of a property chain and, of these, 45% experienced a chain break.
The integration means advisers instructing PLS Solicitors through conveybuddy will benefit from the transfer of case information directly into the firm's case management system.
Tom Durbin St George said: “The move signals our ambition to build a broader growth platform for professional services.”
Houzecheck said independent surveying firms could help meet demand and ensure buyers get the information they need without causing new delays.
The average time for registration and signing came in at two minutes and 43 seconds.
The average price paid by home movers for conveyancing services edged down by 0.1% since the start of the year to £2,438.