Specialist lender Cambridge & Counties Bank has expanded its Midlands real estate team with two new senior hires. Gary Shepherdson and Vaughan Hobbs join as Senior Relationship Managers, with both reporting to Jayne Follows, Regional Director – Midlands & South at the bank.
The appointments reflect the strong growth of the bank’s regional property book and strong demand from real estate professionals and SMEs together with the commercial finance brokers that serve them for their dedicated lending products.
Gary has over 20 years’ experience working with property professionals and businesses across the East Midlands. Before joining Cambridge & Counties Bank he spent almost 10 years at Handelsbanken in a variety of roles, including Corporate Banking Manager and Credit Analyst. He will be based in Cambridge & Counties’ Leicester office.
Based in Birmingham, Vaughan has more than 30 years’ experience in the financial services industry, specialising in the property sector since 2000. He has had various roles ranging from business development, portfolio management as well as restructuring at lenders including Lloyds, Santander and Nationwide.
Cambridge & Counties Bank saw enhanced demand for its real estate product suite in 2021 across the Midlands and the wider UK market, with demand continuing to grow in 2022. In the Midlands, the bank has seen increased activity in the commercial and mixed-use space.
In terms of the UK market, Cambridge & Counties Bank recently announced it had seen total lending top £1 billion as part of its 10th anniversary celebrations in June this year. Over the past decade, it has grown into a significant competitor in its selected markets and business lines. Deposits have grown to more than £1 billion as at the end of 2021.
Originally focused on the local East Midlands region served through one branch, the Leicester-headquartered bank has seen staff numbers increase to more than 200, with major offices now in Sheffield, Bristol, London and Glasgow. The addition of Gary and Vaughan means the bank now has 14 members of staff covering the Midlands region.
Jayne Follows, Regional Director – Midlands & South at Cambridge & Counties Bank said:
“We’re delighted to be adding Gary and Vaughan to our successful Midlands team. Both have extensive experience and a deep understanding of the needs of our clients and the brokers that support them. Midlands is a key growth market for the bank, and we will continue to invest in the local team.”