Saxon Trust has hired Marc Osterley as its financial controller as the bridging and development lender looks to expand the business

It says Osterley will oversee day-to-day accounting and will work closely with the new business team and assist the chief investment officer to manage existing funding lines and acquire new sources of funds.

The firm adds, the qualified chartered management accountant will work closely with co-founder and director Andrew Gardiner.

The industry veteran has spent over 25 years in the property sector, working for such firms as Davis Langdon, Gardiner & Theobald, Ballymore and Hammerson.

He also produced the management and statutory accounts for the group and managed their accounting processes. He spent just under seven years at the business from 2015.

The accountant also spent almost 11 years at Hammerson, where his duties included responsibility for the listed developer’s flagship retail centres, such as Brent Cross and the Bullring, as well as being heavily involved in the disposal of its office portfolio.

Saxton’s Gardiner says: “Marc’s investment and development experience, gained across some of the country’s leading real estate companies, ensures that we have secured the services of someone who brings a unique insight and perspective to our team.

“Recent appointments demonstrate our ambition to grow the business and Marc will play a fundamental role in ensuring that we hit and surpass our ambitious targets.”

Osterley adds: “Having enjoyed a successful career in the property sector I’m excited to be joining a front-line lender for the very first time.”

Earlier this month, the specialist lender named Stuart Munden as its new head of credit and risk.

Munden was recruited from BanyanTree Bank, where he was head of risk and credit structuring for just over three years, managing the firm’s bridging loans.

Saxon was established in 2006 as Calmez, but launched the Saxon Trust brand in 2020 to widen its business across a broader suite of loan products.