Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has appointed Philip Gould as credit operations director.
Gould (main picture) has a wealth of experience and brings more than 14 years of credit experience, having held senior roles across both major high street banks and specialist lenders. Most recently, he was chief lending officer at Avamore Capital, where he played a central role in shaping credit and operations strategy for complex development deals.
His experience spans the full lending lifecycle, from initial assessment through to portfolio management and post-completion support.
In his new role Gould will lead the credit operations function within the development finance team, working closely with portfolio management and credit quality assurance.
UNDERSTANDING SME DEVELOPERS
He will report directly to Neil Leitch, managing director of development finance, who said: “We’ve built a team that really understands what SME developers need from their lender.
“It’s never just about providing capital. It’s about being dependable, staying involved throughout the journey, and helping to keep things on track when the unexpected happens. That’s where we’ve built trust and why brokers and developers come back to us.
“As we continue to grow, it’s important that we protect that strength. We are investing in the depth and capability behind the front-end to make sure our service remains consistent as we scale. Philip brings a great deal of experience and a very steady hand.”
STRENGTH WITHOUT FRICTION
And he added: “He understands how to build operational strength without adding unnecessary friction. That’s exactly what we need as we evolve.
“He will be a central part of shaping the next phase of the business. We are focused on being the market leader in SME development finance and continuing to raise the bar for delivery. Philip’s appointment helps lay the foundations to support that ambition.”
SUPPORTING GROWTH
Gould said: “I’ve worked across a range of lenders and what always stands out in the best operations teams is their ability to support growth without compromising quality. Strong processes, clear communication, and mutual respect across functions are what make that possible. Those are the areas I’ll be focusing on.”
He added: “HTB has built a strong reputation by focusing on the detail that really matters. It’s not just the lending itself. It’s how the team supports brokers and developers through the whole project, understands where the risks are, and works collaboratively to get things done. That approach is rare and it’s what drew me to the role.
“This is already a high-performing team. My role is to help ensure that as the business grows, the operational side keeps pace and continues to enhance what we deliver to brokers and their clients. I’m looking forward to working with the team and playing a part in what comes next.”
