United Trust Bank (UTB) has announced two promotions in its successful Property Development division following a record first half year of new development funding originations in 2025.
Orla Costello joined UTB in 2014 and has nearly 20 years’ experience in banking. She developed one of UTB’s largest portfolios originating a high volume of diverse development finance deals across a variety of sectors. Orla’s promotion to the new senior sales management role of Deputy Head of Originations – Property Development will see her co-manage the Property Development sales team with Head of Originations, Paul De Croos.
Earlier this year UTB’s original development finance loan commitments surpassed £1.5bn for the first time and over £1bn of loans drawn. In addition, UTB broadened its development finance offering to include Build to Rent (BTR) funding for the development and operation of purpose-built apartments and houses. The lender estimates that its funding is helping to support the creation of around 4500 new homes at any one time.
As the Bank continues to develop its offering in new sectors and support an ever-growing portfolio of SME housebuilders and developers, Orla’s main area of focus will be overseeing intermediary relationships with an aim to develop the Bank’s flow of high-quality proposals from commercial finance brokers. In addition, Orla will be supporting the team’s property development relationship directors and managers, helping them to further increase lending to developers and housebuilders operating across England and Wales and deliver UTB’s long-term growth objectives.
Ashley Collier joined UTB’s Property Development sales team in 2021 and has worked in real estate finance and banking for over 15 years. In her new role as Associate Director – Property Development, Ashley will take on and grow her own portfolio of housebuilder and developer clients operating across Greater London and the South of England, building strong relationships and delivering bespoke development finance solutions and service.
Announcing the promotions, Adam Bovingdon – Head of Property Development at United Trust Bank, said: “Orla has been an outstanding originator for the Property Development team and I’m delighted that she’s going to be using her considerable skills and knowledge to help the Bank build even stronger relationships with development finance broker partners. What’s more, this new role gives her the opportunity to share her wealth of experience and assist our Property Development Managers and Associate Directors in building their own successful portfolios and careers in real estate finance.
“Ashley has proven to be a dedicated and high performing member of the team, and she thoroughly deserves her promotion to Associate Director. I am sure that she will continue to build a successful portfolio of housebuilder and developer clients as well as relationships with broker introducers and help the Bank to achieve its ambitious growth objectives this year and in the future.”
Orla Costello, Deputy Head of Originations – Property Development, said: “UTB has one of the most knowledgeable development finance teams in the industry and I’m looking forward to working with Paul De Croos to develop our reach with real estate finance brokers and intermediaries and supporting the originations team in delivering their and the Bank’s performance targets.”
