United Trust Bank (UTB) appoints Mark Stokes as chief commercial officer

United Trust Bank (UTB) the buy to let, bridging finance and development finance lender, has recruited Mark Stokes into the new role of chief commercial officer.

Stokes has over 20 years’ experience at executive committee level – including work with Lloyds Bank, RBS, Black Horse and Chartered Trust – and joins UTB from his previous role as managing director at Metro Bank – commercial banking.

During his time at Metro Bank, the commercial business balance sheet rose from £1.2bn to £3.5bn between 2016 and 2020.

In his new role as chief commercial officer, Stokes will report directly to United Trust Bank group managing director, Harley Kagan. Key responsibilities of the role will include developing and managing UTB’s lending teams, its commercial strategy and proposition. Stokes will also be responsible for exploring opportunities for UTB to enter and develop new markets.

Stokes said: “United Trust Bank is at an exciting stage of its development. It is a progressive and successful specialist bank with a demonstrated history of developing new markets and products, a vibrant culture and a focus on effective delivery and profitability.

“I’ve been really impressed by the people I have met and look forward to joining the team and helping to take the business to the next stage.”

Kagan added: “Mark has an excellent track record of developing and delivering successful growth strategies in the SME and specialist finance sectors.

“We are very pleased that he has joined the bank and his many years of experience in commercial banking, including property and asset finance lending, will further strengthen UTB’s executive team in the bank’s next exciting phase of growth.”

Original article featured here…

The news comes after United Trust Bank recently expanded its development finance division with the appointment of a new director and manager in a bid to strengthen its presence and potential for future growth.

source https://commercial-mortgages-broker.co.uk/news/united-trust-bank-utb-appoints-mark-stokes-as-chief-commercial-officer/