Head of Underwriting (Bridging & Specialist BTL)

"Lead complex lending decisions at pace — where judgement, expertise and impact truly matter"

At Castle Trust Bank, we’re proud to be a fintech challenger bank, delivering specialist property mortgages, retail finance lending and savings products to customers across the UK.

As we continue to grow and evolve our specialist lending proposition, we’re looking for an experienced Head of Underwriting (Bridging & Specialist BTL) to lead a high‑performing underwriting function operating at the sharp end of complex, non‑standard lending. Based in Basingstoke, you’ll lead a specialist underwriting team responsible for complex bridging and specialist buy‑to‑let lending, including limited company structures, HMOs, MUFBs and expat cases.

This is a senior, hands‑on leadership role where speed, sound judgement and deep technical expertise are critical. You’ll balance strategic oversight with direct involvement in high‑value cases, shaping outcomes that protect portfolio quality while enabling commercial growth. This is a high‑visibility role with significant delegated authority and direct involvement in credit governance, where your decisions will have a tangible impact on customer outcomes, broker relationships and portfolio performance.

This is a hybrid role based in Basingstoke, with 3 days per week in the office. Monday and Wednesday are compulsory office days.

What you’ll deliver

• Hold and exercise a significant personal lending mandate across Bridging and Specialist BTL cases
• Lead the end‑to‑end underwriting lifecycle for complex, time‑critical transactions
• Ensure every bridging loan has a robust, credible and verified exit strategy
• Assess non‑standard BTL cases including Ltd Co, HMO, MUFB and Expat structures
• Lead, develop and mentor a team of underwriters, embedding commercial but prudent decision‑making
• Own underwriting performance against SLAs, speed‑to‑offer and quality metrics
• Act as a key member of the Credit Committee, presenting complex cases and influencing credit and risk policy
• Build strong relationships with brokers, solicitors and valuation partners
• Champion strong governance, regulatory compliance and excellent customer outcomes under SMCR

What you’ll bring

We’re looking for a confident, credible underwriting manager/leader who thrives in a fast‑paced specialist lending environment:

Essential experience & skills

• Proven experience in manual underwriting within Bridging and Specialist BTL lending
• Deep expertise in non‑standard lending, including complex property and income structures
• Proven experience operating with delegated lending authority
• Strong understanding of FCA regulation across regulated and non‑regulated lending
• Experience presenting cases to Credit Committees and influencing risk policy
• Demonstrable ability to lead, develop and motivate a specialist underwriting team
• Excellent stakeholder management skills across intermediary and professional panels

Qualifications

• CeMAP (or equivalent) desirable

Why join Castle Trust Bank?

• Competitive salary
• Performance bonus (based on individual and company performance)
• Generous contributory pension through Hargreaves Lansdown
• Life Assurance
• 28 days’ holiday + option to buy/sell 5 days
• Additional paid volunteering day
• Private healthcare (BUPA single cover)
• Free access to BHSF Rise EAP to support colleague health and wellbeing
• Gym discounts
• Season ticket travel loans (if applicable)
• A supportive, inclusive culture where your work has real impact

Caught your attention? If so, we’d love to talk to you and tell you more about what it’s like to work at Castle Trust Bank – The Place To Work!

Castle Trust Bank is an equal opportunity employer where we celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all our colleagues to thrive. We welcome applications from all and will not discriminate against any status/characteristic protected by law and will always base our decisions on merit.

We are proud to support people with disabilities and are committed to be a Disability Confident employer. If you are a person with a disability and meet the minimum criteria for the role you will be offered an interview. Should you require any reasonable adjustment to support you in your application for one of our opportunities, please contact [email protected]

https://www.castletrust.co.uk/careers/who-we-are