Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has announced the promotion of Rob Syrett to a new head of origination role in its development finance team.

Syrett (pictured) will take responsibility for driving and delivering new development business. He will lead and grow HTB’s specialist team, including its lending directors who work closely with all existing and new-to-bank development finance clients.

With a career in banking spanning 25 years, Syrett joined the team at HTB as a lending director in September 2022. Prior roles include development finance recovery and work-out, while his previous experience in originations saw him manage deals up to £30m.

He will report to Alex Upton, managing director, development finance.

Syrett said: “I’m thrilled to take on this new role as head of origination. In my career I have always emphasised the importance of collaboration, so I’m excited to deepen the existing relationships we have with brokers and clients, as well as build long-lasting new partnerships.

“HTB adopts a flexible and specialist approach which enables us to provide an excellent service to clients and third parties. The team have a phenomenal amount of experience which separates us from our competitors with 2024 already shaping up to be another strong year.”

Upton added: “At HTB we never rest on our laurels. We’re investing across the development finance business and setting ourselves up for ambitious growth in 2024. People are our greatest asset, and we are expanding the team to keep service levels exceptionally high as we grow.

“The head of origination plays a key role in building strong relationships with our brokers and clients. Rob has the experience and the drive to smash his new role and make a real impact.

“Delivering our award-winning development finance proposition requires a focus on innovation. Rob’s promotion is part of our wider target to continuously deliver innovative, insight-driven lending solutions that our people, developer clients and brokers are proud of.”