Phil Riches is to retire as sales director of Keystone Property Finance later this month, bringing to an end a financial services career spanning five decades.
Riches (pictured) has spent the past 14 years with the specialist buy-to-let lender, having joined in 2012 when the business relaunched. He became head of sales the following year before being appointed sales director in 2018.
Following his departure, Keystone’s commercial director, Steve Griffiths, will assume responsibility for account relationships.
Riches has been closely involved in the development of Keystone’s specialist lending proposition and has become a familiar figure among mortgage intermediaries through his regular appearances at industry conferences, roadshows and broker events.
FIVE DECADES IN FINANCIAL SERVICES
Riches began his career in 1976 as a clerk at National Westminster Bank before moving into management positions at City & Metropolitan Building Society and Nationwide Building Society, where he spent almost a decade.
He joined Paragon Mortgages in 1991 as regional sales manager, becoming the lender’s highest-producing sales manager for four consecutive years.
In the early 2000s, he moved to Platform as divisional sales manager before joining Solution4 as sales director in 2008. His subsequent move to Keystone in 2012 began what would become the final 14 years of his career.
During his time at Keystone, Riches has worked with intermediaries operating in the more complex areas of the buy-to-let market, helping to develop the lender’s relationships with brokers and distribution partners.
Commenting on his retirement, Riches says: “After more than 50 years in an industry that has given me so many opportunities, friendships and memorable experiences, I have decided that the time is right to retire.
“The past 14 years at Keystone have been particularly rewarding, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside such talented and dedicated colleagues and advisers.
“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and grateful for the support, trust and friendships that have developed throughout my career.
“While I will miss the people most of all, I am looking forward to spending more time with family and embracing the next chapter.”
David Whittaker, chief executive of Keystone Property Finance, says: “It’s hard to overstate how big a role Phil has played in helping turn Keystone into the leading specialist lender that it is today.
“His knowledge, his passion and his relationships are unrivalled and he has been a wonderful ambassador for us over the years.
“It has been a genuine pleasure to work with him as the business has evolved and grown over the years.
“We’ve known this day was coming for a while. While we’re sad to be losing such a talented and valued colleague, we are saying goodbye to a fantastic friend. Everyone here at Keystone wishes him a long and happy retirement.”
