Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has made two senior appointments within its property division.

Alex Upton becomes managing director, specialist mortgages and will be succeeded as managing director, development finance by Neil Leitch who is currently commercial director of that division.

HTB’s bridging division continues under the leadership of director, Jamie Jolly.

Chris Daly, the former managing director of specialist mortgages, has left the business.

Upton said: “I am proud to leave the development finance division in great shape – the new team is brimming with talent and capability.

“But I’m thrilled to be swapping my comfy steel toecaps for my blister inducing heels as I return to my roots in specialist mortgages to take HTB’s biggest business to the next level. Close broker relationships and consistent, first class service are the foundations of the division’s current and future strategy. No change there.”

Leitch addeD: “I’m stepping in to lead a department that’s already in an excellent position. It’s been a pleasure working with Alex and I’m really looking forward to taking the helm in development finance as we continue to support a broad range of developers to build more much needed homes across England & Wales. HTB is uniquely positioned to deliver genuinely joined up lifecycle lending across development finance, bridging and specialist mortgages.”

Charles McDowell, HTB’s chief commercial officer, said: “Talent is HTB’s currency. Alex and Neil’s commitment to the bank has been fundamental to our rapid growth and their continued close collaboration will underpin HTB’s formula for success – to put both brokers and borrowers at the heart of everything we do.”

On Daly’s departure, a spokesperson said: “Chris decided to leave HTB for personal reasons to seek outside opportunities. HTB has enabled Chris to leave on short notice to support that decision. HTB thanks Chris for his contribution to the business and wishes him well for his future career.”