Director takes on extended role
Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has announced that Alex Upton (pictured), currently managing director of specialist mortgages, will now lead its bridging division as well.
Upton, who has overseen growth in HTB’s specialist mortgages division and previously led the development finance team, will now take on full responsibility for bridging. Her expanded role is expected to provide greater alignment and support for brokers across HTB’s specialist lending services.
In her new role, Upton aims to strengthen broker relationships by offering more cohesive support across HTB’s lending divisions.
“With my new role overseeing both bridging and specialist mortgages, brokers can expect even more cohesive support across HTB’s lending teams,” she said. “We’re committed to ensuring brokers maintain the familiar points of contact they value while creating stronger alignment across all our lending divisions. Our aim is to focus every part of the business on delivering the best possible outcomes for brokers and their clients.”
The leadership change follows Jamie Jolly’s decision to step down to pursue new opportunities, having led HTB’s bridging business since joining in May 2022.
“Since joining the bank, I’ve had the privilege of working with an exceptional team to build HTB’s Bridging offering into one of the most trusted in the market,” Jolly said, reflecting on his tenure. “Together, we’ve developed a strong proposition and delivered excellent results for brokers and their clients. “With the bridging team in a great position and recent enhancements in place, the timing feels right for me to move on to new pastures.”
Upton clarified that the change is not about merging teams but rather about having an overarching view to identify growth opportunities.
“This expanded role isn’t about merging teams — it’s about having the oversight to dig deeper into each division and uncover new opportunities for growth,” she added. “With strong, dedicated teams on both sides, we’re ready to explore new ways to support our brokers and help them thrive in an evolving market.”
In July, HTB bolstered its bridging team with four new appointments, with Nathan Wilson named senior underwriter, Olivia Colmer-Lynch announced new senior lending manager, Ella Hosier named lending manager, and Barry Ireland added as the new business development manager.
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