HTB

HTB has almost doubled its development finance team and promoted Alex Upton to managing director of the division.

Prior to her appointment, Alex was the bank’s commercial director for specialist mortgages.

The new development finance team includes new lending directors to originate and manage facilities, eight new relationship managers to assist the lending directors in providing service to brokers and borrowers, and two new BDMs to work closely with intermediary partners in supporting them and their clients.

The expansion of HTB’s development finance division aims to help the lender deliver greater support for property developers and the intermediary market.

“Here at HTB, we have always provided an exceptional proposition and service to developers, and this won’t change,” said Alex.

•   Property investors face 'huge risk' of stranded assets if they fail to decarbonise
•   HTB names new lending director
•   J3 hires head of business development

“However, we recognise increased demand from brokers for a partner who can support them throughout the process from initial enquiry to completion and beyond. 

“This is why we have aligned the business to actively recognise the value that intermediaries bring to the market. 

“I’m looking forward to being able to offer full and seamless support to our borrowers and our broker partners from initial land purchase, through development and into either development exit or term investment. 

“I’m proud to be leading such an energised, enthusiastic and highly capable team of experts; the market is buoyant and I’ve got a spring in my step for 2022.” 

Assetz Capital

Assetz Capital has promoted Sarah Ellison and Dean Kilbryde to relationship directors – portfolio as part of its origination team in the North.

In her new role, Sarah — who joined the company in March 2021 — will work alongside relationship director Lucie Martin to maintain existing customer relations post-drawdown, follow up on new lending, and onboard a significant planned number of new developer clients across Scotland.

Meanwhile, Dean — who has worked at Assetz since May 2018 — will collaborate with relationship director Ciaran McGivern to support the significant planned boost of new housebuilder clients within the north of England. 

The new relationship director – portfolio role will focus on high origination growth and will enable full regional coverage to support the lender’s customer expansion journey.  

The promotions follow a number of recent appointments to Assetz Capital’s origination team, as the lender targets ambitious lending figures for 2022 and beyond. 

In January, it hired relationship directors James Evans and Paul Williams from Santander and HSBC, respectively.  

Andrew Fraser, regional director for the north of the UK at Assetz Capital, said: “We are delighted to expand the origination team to include these growth support roles which allow the business to increase our lending volumes to regional housebuilders and property clients across the north.”