Hampshire Trust Bank has promoted Henry Manley-Cooper to deputy managing director of bridging finance.

The appointment strengthens the leadership of the bridging division at a time when Hampshire says short-term finance is playing a growing role for investors and developers.

Manley-Cooper joined Hampshire Trust Bank just over a year ago as a senior underwriter from Acre Capital where he was head of credit.

In his new role, he will report to Alex Upton, managing director of specialist mortgages and bridging finance.

Manley-Cooper will be working alongside Andrea Glasgow, sales director of specialist mortgages and bridging finance, in supporting proposition development, governance oversight and growth of the division

In his previous positions at Acre Lane and before that Aamore Capital, he gained experience of structuring complex residential transactions.

Upton says: “Bridging is being deployed with greater intent. 

“Brokers are introducing it earlier in transactions to manage sequencing risk, create flexibility and align short-term funding with longer-term objectives.

“That evolution raises expectations. Speed remains important, but clarity of structure and strength of governance are decisive. 

“Henry brings commercial judgement and disciplined credit thinking. His appointment strengthens our ability to deliver structured growth while maintaining consistent standards as transaction complexity increases.”

Manley-Cooper says: “I am pleased to be taking on this role at a point when the bridging market is becoming more deliberate and more integrated within wider funding strategies.

“Investors and developers are operating with greater intent, and brokers are advising within increasingly joined-up capital plans. 

“That requires lenders to provide clarity earlier and remain consistent as transactions evolve.”

He adds: “My focus will be on strengthening alignment across underwriting, sales and credit, while continuing to develop a proposition that gives brokers confidence in complex cases. 

“As short-term finance becomes more embedded within long-term strategies, clear structure and consistent decision-making will be central to how we support the market.”