United Trust Bank Appoints Two Bridging Underwriters Permanently Based in its Manchester Offices

16 June 2025

United Trust Bank (UTB) is continuing to develop its Bridging lending operations and broker support in the North of England with the appointment of two new team members working permanently from the Bank’s Manchester offices.

Hayley Evans has joined United Trust Bank as a Senior Bridging Underwriter. She has over ten years’ experience in the property finance, banking and intermediary sectors, having worked with organisations including the Co-operative Bank, Embrace Financial Services, TSB Bank and most recently, Together. Hayley is particularly experienced in regulated bridging and won the Underwriter of the Year Award at the Women’s Recognition Awards 2024.

Harvey Wood has joined UTB in Manchester as a Bridging Underwriter. He has experience in Bridging and Development finance and has worked with Together, SDKA and most recently, SoMo. He has managed a wide range of cases and collaborated closely with asset managers, surveyors and funders to ensure smooth project delivery. His experience covers a variety of sectors including residential, commercial and mixed-use properties, with a focus on property conversions, HMO developments and tranche funding coordination.

UTB opened its new offices in Hardman Square in the heart of Manchester’s business district earlier this year. The offices are being used by UTB’s lending and deposits divisions, including Bridging, Property Development, Mortgages, Asset Finance and Structured Property Finance. Some staff are based there permanently, and others are finding it a useful and convenient place to hold meetings with brokers and customers operating in the West Midlands and North of England.

Sundeep Patel, Director of Bridging - United Trust Bank, commented:

“Manchester has proven to be an ideal location for our satellite office and I am delighted that Hayley and Harvey have become Bridging’s first hires to be permanently based there. Both have considerable local experience and excellent relationships with bridging brokers operating in the region and having ‘boots on the ground’ is delivering tangible results with improved business and service levels.

“The Government’s recent announcement of significant investment in transport infrastructure across the North and the Midlands will further support the regeneration of the area, and we are keen to help borrowers seize the opportunities this initiative will bring.”