The Tenancy Deposit Scheme has announced that current ARLA vice-president Claire Lloyd is to join as a business development consultant.

Her remit will be to attract new letting agents to the TDS’s relatively new custodial scheme.

She is leaving her role at Propertymark ARLA, where she would have been president next year. Her departure comes a matter of days before the AGM where voting on the vice-presidents is due to take place, and will surprise some members.

The incoming president for this year is Sally Lawson.

Taking up her new role this month, Lloyd will work alongside Rebecca Johnston, TDS custodial managing director, as part of the business development team.

Lloyd has over 20 years’ experience in the property industry and the UK’s letting market, including setting up and running the multi-award winning lettings agency, Claire Lloyd Properties.

She was a founder agent member of TDS and has supported the organisation since its inception over ten years ago.

A Fellow of both ARLA and NAEA since 2007, she was elected as vice-president of ARLA in June 2016 and since selling her business she has worked as a consultant in the sector.

Steve Harriott, TDS chief executive, said: “Claire is well-known and well-connected within our industry and it’s really great to have her on board.

“She has unrivalled experience in lettings and deposits and is passionate about raising standards in the industry.

“Claire will be involved in encouraging agents to switch to TDS Custodial and advising us on how we might improve our award-winning service.”

Lloyd said: “I’m excited to be joining TDS at this time and to be able to use my hands-on experience of the lettings world to help build the company’s business.

“From my dealings with TDS over the years I know it’s a company whose ethos and goals very much match my own.”