United Trust Bank appoints customer support and strategy director

United Trust Bank Mortgages has announced that Barry Luhmann has moved into the newly created role of customer support and strategy director for mortgages, with Dave Burke taking over Barry’s previous role with a promotion to head of buy-to-let underwriting.

Barry Luhmann joined UTB in 2022 ahead of the Bank’s launch into the buy-to-let market. In his new role, Barry will work closely with director of mortgages, Buster Tolfree, formulating and delivering UTB’s growth plans for the mortgage business.

Dave Burke has been promoted to head of buy-to-let underwriting succeeding Barry Luhmann in leading the buy-to-let underwriting team and tasked with providing a streamlined and high-quality service to introducers on all buy-to-let applications. Formerly a new lending manager in the mortgages team, the Bank will announce Dave’s successor in due course.

Buster Tolfree, director of mortgages at United Trust Bank, said: “Our move into the buy-to-let mortgage market has been a real success story and Barry has played a key part in that. I’m delighted that he is moving into this newly created role, helping to shape the future of this fast-growing mortgage business as we look to develop our offering and distribution. 

"Dave has had a similarly great year and will do an excellent job heading up buy-to-let underwriting. The product continues to go from strength to strength as brokers turn on to our flexible criteria and strong appetite to support landlords seeking value and higher yields by diversifying with more unusual rental properties.

“We love giving our people the opportunity to grow and take on new challenges and we always look to promote from within where possible. As one of the fastest growing divisions of the Bank, I’m sure it won’t be long before we share more exciting team news.”