Hampshire Trust Bank strengthens development finance team with relationship manager appointments
Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has strengthened its development finance relationship management team with three new appointments, reinforcing its commitment to consistent, relationship-led support for SME developers and brokers across the UK.
The move builds on a sustained period of growth across HTB’s Development Finance division, following record completions and continued demand from SME developers for lenders that combine flexible funding with direct, relationship-based support.
Serena Rahim Shah joins from Arbuthnot Latham, bringing experience across real estate finance, commercial banking and restructuring. Tom Genner joins from Avamore Capital, where he worked in credit analysis and investor relations after beginning his career at Savills, while Olivia Emmett joins from Pivot Finance, having previously held an analyst role at Atelier, focused on specialist property lending.
All three new relationship managers will report to Michael O’Donnell, head of relationship management, development finance, at HTB.
Michael O’Donnell, head of relationship management, development finance at HTB, said: “We are delighted to welcome Serena, Tom and Olivia to the relationship management team. Each brings the experience, understanding and client focus that reflect how we work at HTB.
“Our team stays close to every project from day one, working alongside developers and brokers to anticipate challenges early and keep funding aligned to how schemes evolve. On every transaction, a broker and borrower have direct access to both a lending director and a relationship manager, ensuring there is always someone who understands the deal and can resolve issues quickly.
“Relationship managers play a key role in structuring and onboarding, acting as a constant point of contact for our clients throughout the life of a project. We know conditions on site can change quickly, so having the right people in place to respond and keep things moving is essential.
“As our portfolio grows, expanding our relationship management function ensures every client continues to receive the same accessibility, clarity and consistency that define HTB. These appointments strengthen our ability to support developers through every stage of their project, from first drawdown to final completion.”
Neil Leitch, managing director, development finance at HTB, added: “relationship management sits at the heart of how we deliver development finance. Our strength as a lender comes from staying close to our clients, understanding their projects and acting quickly when something changes on site.
“Expanding this team gives us the depth to stay connected with every developer we support. It allows us to maintain the quality of communication, responsiveness and decision-making that brokers and clients expect from HTB, even as demand continues to grow.
“Serena, Tom and Olivia each bring the experience and approach that fit how we work: practical, collaborative and relationship driven. Their appointments ensure we keep delivering the certainty and partnership that help developers move projects forward with confidence.”
These appointments reflect HTB’s continued investment in its people and its commitment to the close, long-term relationships that underpin success for both developers and brokers.