Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has promoted Josh Swaby to lending manager in its development finance team, covering the North and Midlands.
Swaby (pictured) takes up the position from 1 October, moving from his role as business development manager and reporting to Sarah Dix, lending director.
He joined HTB in June 2022 as a relationship manager before moving into business development in January 2024, working with brokers and developers on residential development funding requirements.
The promotion follows the appointment of Athens Piponides as lending manager in September and represents another internal move within HTB’s development finance operation.
MOVE INTO LENDING
Before joining HTB, Swaby spent almost four years at NatWest Group as an assistant relationship manager and previously worked at RBS. He also holds a Lending Skills qualification from the Chartered Banker Institute.
Swaby says: “I’m delighted to be taking this next step in my career at HTB. Having worked closely with brokers and developers over the past four years, I’ve seen first-hand just how much goes into getting a development off the ground and how important it is to have a lender who understands what you’re trying to achieve.
“Moving into lending gives me the opportunity to build on that experience and become more closely involved in helping developers get their projects moving.
“I’ve built some great relationships during my time in business development, and I’m looking forward to continuing those in my new role, taking on new responsibilities and supporting developers across the North and Midlands.”
Dix says: “Josh has made a real contribution to the development finance team since joining HTB, and his promotion is thoroughly deserved.
“He has built strong relationships with brokers and developers, developed a good understanding of the markets he works in and knows how important it is to understand the people and the project behind each funding request.
“His experience across relationship management and business development gives him a valuable perspective as he moves into lending.
“He understands the challenges developers face, the importance of getting involved early and the need to work closely with them as their schemes progress.
“That understanding, combined with the relationships he has built, will serve him well in his new role.
“We are committed to developing our people and giving them opportunities to progress within HTB, and I’m delighted to see Josh take this next step in his career.”
