United Trust Bank has appointed industry veteran Robert Owen as director of specialist mortgages.

He will lead a new department exploring opportunities for United Trust Bank to participate in mortgage markets.

Owen (pictured) has over 30 years of experience in the UK banking and building society sectors. His previous roles have included divisional director at Lloyds TSB, chief executive at Matlock Bank where in 2000 he founded London Mortgage Company, and more recently establishing a consumer finance business for the West Bromwich Building Society – White Label Lending.

He was also the senior independent director at Al Ryan Bank plc, chairman of its Audit committee and chairman of the bank during the change of ownership in 2013.

Owen said: “United Trust Bank has built up an enviable reputation for providing great products and an excellent service and I am very pleased to be joining a Bank where the customer is always put at the top of the agenda.

“I am looking forward to working with the UTB team to develop new products instilled with the same values brokers and borrowers have come to expect from the Bank.”

Harley Kagan, managing director of United Trust Bank, added: “I am delighted that Robert has joined us at United Trust Bank. He brings with him a deep knowledge and experience of banking and an excellent track record in creating and establishing new business opportunities.

“I look forward to announcing our new products in due course as we continue to expand the Bank’s activities into new mortgage markets.”