Alex Upton to Lead HTB’s Bridging Division Through Next Phase of Growth

28 October 2024

Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has announced a leadership transition within its Bridging division, with Alex Upton, Managing Director of Specialist Mortgages, assuming full responsibility for Bridging.

This follows Jamie Jolly’s decision to step down and pursue new opportunities after successfully shaping HTB’s Bridging proposition and delivering strong results since joining the bank in May 2022.

Alex Upton, who has driven significant growth in HTB’s Specialist Mortgages division and previously led the Development Finance team to new heights, will now extend her leadership to the Bridging division. Her appointment reinforces HTB’s strategy of providing even more cohesive support and value for brokers across its specialist lending divisions.

Reflecting on his time at HTB, Jamie Jolly said: "Since joining the bank, I’ve had the privilege of working with an exceptional team to build HTB’s Bridging offering into one of the most trusted in the market. Together, we’ve developed a strong proposition and delivered excellent results for brokers and their clients. With the Bridging team in a great position and recent enhancements in place, the timing feels right for me to move on to new pastures. I’m excited to see HTB’s continued success under Alex’s leadership."

Upton emphasised the benefits of this leadership transition for brokers: "With my new role overseeing both Bridging and Specialist Mortgages, brokers can expect even more cohesive support across HTB’s lending teams. They’ll continue to benefit from quick decisions, expert advice, and the personalised service they’ve come to rely on. We’re committed to ensuring brokers maintain the familiar points of contact they value while creating stronger alignment across all our lending divisions. Our aim is to focus every part of the business on delivering the best possible outcomes for brokers and their clients."

She added: "This expanded role isn’t about merging teams - it’s about having the oversight to dig deeper into each division and uncover new opportunities for growth. It’s about being more strategic, finding ways to offer more to our brokers, and challenging ourselves to go further. With strong, dedicated teams on both sides, we’re ready to explore new opportunities to support our brokers and help them thrive in an evolving market."

This leadership change comes as HTB continues to strengthen its specialist lending proposition, with a clear focus on delivering greater value and flexibility for brokers.

Upton’s leadership will enable even closer collaboration between the Bridging and Specialist Mortgages teams, ensuring brokers benefit from HTB’s combined expertise in lifecycle lending - from short-term bridging finance to long-term specialist mortgages. This seamless approach ensures brokers can offer their clients solutions at every stage of their property finance journey.