Pluto Finance appoints Hugo Trower as lending director

Pluto Finance has expanded its UK team with the appointment of Hugo Trower as lending director.

Trower joins from Barwood Capital, where he spent seven years helping to establish and grow the firm’s residential investment business. Most recently he served as Chief Operating Officer of Barwood Capital’s residential platform, which provides joint venture equity to SME housebuilders.

During his time at Barwood, Trower played a key role in growing the residential business and team from inception. The platform invested in over 50 projects supporting more than 30 housebuilders with the delivery of over 500 homes across the UK.

A Chartered Surveyor, Trower began his career in the development team at Savills, before moving into investment and residential development finance.

Mario Ioannides, partner at Pluto Finance, said: “Hugo brings strong experience from across the residential development and investment landscape and we are very pleased to welcome him to the team.

“As Pluto continues to grow its lending platform, his understanding of the needs of SME developers and housebuilders will be extremely valuable.”

In his new role, Hugo will focus on structuring competitive and flexible debt finance solutions for developers and housebuilders across the UK, working closely with Pluto’s developer and investor partners.

Trower said: “Pluto Finance has established a strong reputation as a responsive and flexible lender to the development market and I am delighted to be joining the team.

“I look forward to working with developers and housebuilders across the UK to structure debt solutions that support the delivery of new homes.”