It assigns new heads of field underwriting and of new business
Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has announced changes to its specialist mortgages team as it prepares for growth and distribution of its specialist buy-to-let and semi-commercial proposition in the second half of 2024.
Greg Barnard (pictured right) has been promoted to the newly created role of head of field underwriting, directly supporting HTB’s intermediary partners.
Barnard brings a broad background in lending and underwriting. As part of his new role, he will build a team based at the offices of broker partners, providing in-house expertise and solutions for complex cases.
“I’m excited to build a team of remote underwriters providing immediate support for our broker clients, collaborating to find solutions, and delivering greater speed and agility to get complex deals over the line,” Barnard said.
Ceri Blackwell (pictured left), meanwhile, joins HTB as head of new business from Foundation Home Loans, where she was head of underwriting. In her new role, she will lead HTB’s lending manager team, recently strengthened by four new lending managers who support brokers in packaging and processing applications.
“HTB’s specialist mortgages team has become the go-to for challenging cases,” Blackwell said. “It’s refreshing to see what can be achieved with an empowered team connecting underwriters, BDMs, brokers, and clients.
“This collaboration allows us to assess and package deals quickly while providing consistent support and communication for our brokers at every stage. I am delighted to be joining at this key phase of growth at HTB.”
According to Alex Upton, HTB’s managing director of specialist mortgages, the bank’s broker partners recognise and value its strong track record in handling complex lending scenarios and finding effective solutions.
“I have always believed that our people are our greatest asset, so we continually invest in attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry,” she said. “With Greg’s promotion, we are bringing our expertise directly into our brokers’ offices, offering unparalleled access to decision-making with insight, knowledge, and expertise.
“Additionally, with Ceri joining us, we are further strengthening the team, ensuring we continue to deliver exceptional service and innovative solutions for our broker partners. Her extensive experience and leadership will be invaluable as we continue to grow and enhance our specialist mortgages offering.”
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