HTB appoints development finance lending director

Hampshire Trust Bank (HTB) has appointed Alexia Evans as lending director in its development finance team.

Alexia brings over 12 years’ experience in real estate finance, with a background spanning residential, commercial and hotel lending. She joins HTB from Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank, where she led the UK hotel lending strategy, funding investment, development, and value-add projects.

The Bank says it is seeing increasing demand from SME developers for relationship-led funding, particularly on planning-led and more complex schemes.

In addition to her lending role, Alexia is actively involved in Women in Property and mentors early-career professionals, encouraging greater diversity and representation across the sector.

Alexia said: "HTB’s understanding of the day-to-day challenges SME developers face, and the way it builds funding around real project needs, is what drew me to the team. Whether it’s planning, timelines or delivery risks, the team brings a level of pragmatism that makes a real difference. I’ve spent my career working on projects that require flexibility and structured support, and I’m looking forward to contributing to the Bank’s continued growth."

Neil Leitch, managing director of development finance at HTB, added: "We’ve made clear, deliberate investments in building a team that reflects the realities of development today, from planning delays to funding certainty. Alexia brings experience, commercial focus, and a structured approach to complex projects, and we’re pleased to have her on board. Over the past year we’ve strengthened every part of the business, from origination through to underwriting, and her appointment is another step forward as we scale with confidence and clarity of purpose."