Castle Trust has announced the promotion of Alex Upton to managing director of the group’s mortgage division with immediate effect.

Matthew Wyles is leaving Castle Trust to take up a senior executive appointment in another financial institution, subject to regulatory approval.

Upton (pictured) joined Castle Trust in 2013 as a broker development manager and was promoted to sales director (mortgages) the following year.

In her new role she will report directly to Sean Oldfield, group chief executive.

Oldfield said: “Alex Upton is a rising star within Castle Trust and I am delighted that she has agreed to lead our mortgage business.  Alex and her excellent team will play a pivotal role in realising our current three year plan which will see us significantly grow our balance sheet during 2018 and beyond. Despite highly competitive market conditions, we have had a fabulous start to the year and we can look to the future with confidence.”

Upton added: “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to lead the Mortgage Division. Castle Trust has always been a really exciting place to work and is a remarkable business. We have a tremendous opportunity to build something really special on the sound foundations which are already in place. I can’t wait to start.”

She will be succeeded as director of sales by Marcus Dussard. He joined Castle Trust in 2014 and his most recent role was that of business development director.

Upton said: “Castle Trust has been on a path of rapid growth and Marcus has played a crucial part in this. He has earnt the respect of his colleagues across the business and has built an excellent reputation amongst our intermediary partners. This appointment is a further, tangible manifestation of our commitment to the development of our people. I am very much looking forward to working with Marcus in his new role.”