Keystone sales director Phil Riches to retire after 50-year career

Keystone Property Finance sales director Phil Riches (pictured above) is set to retire later this month, bringing an end to a career that has spanned 50 years.

Phil has been at Keystone since 2012 when the BTL lender relaunched, becoming head of sales in 2013 and then sales director in 2018.

He began his career as a clerk at National Westminster Bank in 1976, before taking on managerial roles at both City & Metropolitan Building Society and Nationwide Building Society, where he spent nearly a decade.

In 1991, he joined Paragon Mortgages as regional sales manager, and in the early 2000s he moved to Platform to become divisional sales manager.

He left for Solution4 in 2008, where he was sales director, before joining Keystone in 2012.

Following his’ departure, Keystone’s commercial director, Steve Griffiths, will take over responsibility for the lender’s account relationships.

“After more than 50 years in an industry that has given me so many opportunities, friendships and memorable experiences, I have decided that the time is right to retire,” said Phil.

“The past 14 years at Keystone have been particularly rewarding, and I feel incredibly fortunate to have worked alongside such talented and dedicated colleagues and advisers.

“I am immensely proud of what we have achieved together and grateful for the support, trust and friendships that have developed throughout my career.”

David Whittaker, CEO at Keystone Property Finance, added: “It's hard to overstate how big a role Phil has played in helping turn Keystone into the leading specialist lender that it is today.

“His knowledge, his passion and his relationships are unrivalled and he has been a wonderful ambassador for us over the years.

“It has been a genuine pleasure to work with him as the business has evolved and grown over the years.”