Alsop (pictured) has held several previous roles in the mortgage sector, including head of credit at Mizrahi Tefahot Bank and head of loans distribution at Bank of Scotland.

He said: “This new role at Hampshire Trust Bank is an opportunity to combine my experience of property lending and team leadership in a fast-moving environment, backed by a clear and firm commitment to the commercial mortgage business by the Bank.”

Colin Bell, managing director of commercial mortgages at Hampshire Trust Bank, said: “We have established a successful commercial mortgages business and Ian’s appointment will ensure we uphold the excellent standard of lending practice we hold ourselves to at Hampshire Trust Bank, when it comes to making quick, pragmatic lending decisions for our customers.”

According to research released by Hampshire Trust Bank last month there has been a 17% rise in the number of small businesses in the real estate sector since 2010.