Specialist lender Together has announced the appointment of experienced property professional Chris Taylor to drive its development finance business.

The real estate investor and consultant, who spent more than a decade in senior positions at MCR Property Group, joins Together this month as its development finance originations director.

He moved into property 15 years ago, joining national estate agency Countrywide on its management scheme, later taking up a senior position turning around underperforming branches.

His experience saw him join a private investment company based in Bury, Greater Manchester, where he was responsible for negotiating deals and developing, refurbishing and selling property for a large-scale portfolio landlord.

In 2009, Taylor was appointed an investment project manager at Manchester-headquartered MCR Property Group, where he was a fund manager and managing director of Regency Residential, the group’s housing development division. During this time, he led the opening of its office in Mayfair, London, increasing the firm’s headcount to 500 employees.

At Together, he will report to Andrew Charnley, the group’s director of credit and portfolio.

Taylor (pictured) said: “I’m excited about my new role, which will involve working in partnership with developers across the UK to make sure that we can provide them with the products and service they need to deliver their projects on time and on budget – to help them realise their ambitions.

“I have had a great relationship with Together, even before joining the business. The group is known and respected for building relationships with developers and having hands-on underwriters, who really understand their customers. The business has increased its development finance offering considerably over the past few years and I’m really looking forward to helping grow the loan book in the future.”

Charnley added: “Chris’s vast experience in real estate, and his energy and commitment to the UK property market will be a massive benefit to our business. He will help to fulfil not only our growth plans and ambitions, but the ambitions of developers up and down the country who are helping drive the UK’s economy post-pandemic and we’re delighted to welcome Chris to the team.”