Saffron Building Society’s head of business development Tony Hall has taken on an expanded role that will see him oversee the mutual’s property development team. 

The move follows the decision of the firm’s current head of property development, Peter Owen, to retire this week after a decade at the business.  

The mutual says that, “Peter oversaw the transformation of Saffron’s development portfolio into the central part of Saffron’s proposition that it is today”. 

It adds that Hall’s new role “brings all of Saffron’s front book lending into one place, promoting a more cohesive business strategy”. 

As a result of these changes, the firm’s property development finance manager Matt Hardy, has been promoted to national lending manager – property development, reporting to Hall. 

Hardy, joined the business in 2021 from Cynergy Bank, where he was a senior associate. 

Saffron says since then Hardy has held “a key leadership role within the property development team, working closely with Peter in leading the delivery of development finance funding solutions for both new and existing customers”. 

Saffron’s Hall adds: “Firstly, I would like to thank Peter for his stellar decade of service at Saffron. I am really excited by my expanded remit and I am looking forward to building on Peter and Matt’s success.  

“Property Development is a central part of the business, and this is a fantastic opportunity to more closely align two of Saffron’s key offerings – something which will benefit developers and brokers alike.”