Keystone Property Finance sales director and industry stalwart Phil Riches is set to retire later this month following a successful financial services career spanning 50 years.
Riches has spent the last 14 years at Keystone, joining in 2012 as the specialist buy to let lender relaunched. He became head of sales in 2013 and sales director in 2018.
In that time, he has played a major role in shaping Keystone's proposition, helping it become one of the market's leading specialist lenders over the past 14 years.
As well as helping drive Keystone forward, Riches is one of the most familiar faces on the conference circuit, regularly speaking at roadshows and other events to educate brokers about complex buy to let.
Following Riches’ departure, Keystone’s Commercial Director, Steve Griffiths, will take over responsibility for account relationships and will continue to provide the high level of support Keystone's partners have come to expect.
Riches 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, becoming its top-producing sales manager four years running. In the early 2000s, he moved to Platform to become divisional sales manager, before leaving for Solution4 in 2008, where he was sales director. After Solution4, he joined Keystone, where he remains today.
Commenting on his retirement, Riches said: “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. 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. While I will miss the people most of all, I am looking forward to spending more time with family and embracing the next chapter.”
David Whittaker CEO of Keystone Property Finance, said: “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.
"We've known this day was coming for a while. While we’re sad to be losing such a talented and valued colleague, we are saying goodbye to a fantastic friend. Everyone here at Keystone wishes him a long and happy retirement.”
Paul Thomas, head of personal finance at communications agency MRM, said: “Where do I start with Phil? Of all the people I've worked with and alongside over the years, he's near the top of the pile. He's a fount of knowledge on all things buy to let but at the same time one of the friendliest and most approachable people you'll ever come across.
"If there's a broker event on, chances are you'll see Phil there helping educate the market, whether he's chatting to advisers, sitting on a panel or running a seminar – and he keeps getting asked back because he's worth learning from. The industry is going to miss that. But after all the effort he's put in over the years, if anyone has earned the right to take things a little easier, it's Phil. Enjoy it, Phil."
