Hampshire Trust Bank makes development and asset finance hires

Bhogal has been with the firm since 2021, and in his role, he will create a new development finance business, primarily in the North of England.

He will also manage the company’s credit risk team and credit committee and oversee existing development finance customer and introducer relationships.

Prior to joining the firm, Bhogal worked at Squarestone as an intern for acquisitions and has also had internships at Allsop and JLL.

Neil Leitch, lending director for development finance at HTB, said: “Harry joined the bank a little over two years ago having obtained an excellent degree in real estate and having spent a year working in his family’s business.

“In the relatively short time he has been with us, he has been an absolute star who has met each challenge before him with both skill and energy.”

He continued: “He has built excellent relationships in the development finance market in the North of England and especially with HTB’s existing development finance clients.

“Harry thoroughly deserved his promotion and I can’t wait to see him continuing to provide the sort of exceptional customer service that both he and the Bank have come to be known for.”

Bhogal added: “After two years at HTB and working with some of the best in the industry, it a pleasure to progress my career as a lending manager. I have had the privilege of growing and evolving within the organisation, and I am grateful for the opportunities that have come my way.

“Our development finance division has ambitious growth plans which I am excited to help implement, supporting property developers with projects in the North of England.”

Kilford hire ‘enhances our capability and appetite to pursue our ambitious growth strategy’

Kilford’s appointment as middle ticket specialist equipment asset finance division “highlights the bank’s commitment to support the funding of investments for both SME and corporate clients across a wide range of asset classes”.

He has over 25 years’ experience in the asset finance industry and spent the last 12 years at Aldermore working with brokers across the UK. Prior to that he ran his own brokerage for around four years.

Paul Bartley, managing director for asset finance at Hampshire Trust Bank, said it had “assembled an outstanding team in our asset finance division and Mike’s appointment further enhances our capability and appetite to pursue our ambitious growth strategy”.

“He will also be able to use his considerable experience and expertise to support our valued brokers on larger value transactions across a wide range of asset classes including engineering, construction, and ‘green’ assets,” he added.

He said that against the backdrop of challenging economic conditions it saw a 47 per cent loan book growth in 2022.

“HTB has become a magnet for the brightest and best talent in the industry and Mike’s appointment supports HTB’s commitment to this area of the market and our ability to build upon the success of last year in 2023 and beyond. He will be a key contributor to our future success,” Bartley noted.

Kilford added: “I have followed HTB over recent years and have been impressed with its ability to find solutions, whilst continuing to provide outstanding service levels.

“I am excited to be joining the team at this time in HTB’s story and playing a major part in its success moving forward. I am looking forward to being reunited with a number of former colleagues and working together again to deliver the bank’s growth ambition as we support our brokers and businesses across England and Wales.”