Astra appoints MD

Toy has been appointed as head of commercial and intermediary lending for the main society but his responsibility will also include N&P’s subsidiary.

Graham joins N&P from Abbey plc, where he was deputy head of commercial lending. Prior to joining Abbey, Graham worked for Barclays plc, where his more recent roles included area director, leading corporate teams in Dorset, Devon and Essex.

David Jervis, business services director at N&P and chairman of Astra Mortgages, said: “I am so pleased to have Graham join us. It is a very important time for N&P, with the success of our established commercial lending business and the launch of Astra, our new buy-to-let intermediary business. Graham’s experience will be of enormous value as we build both our commercial and intermediary businesses.”

Toy said: “This is a really exciting time to be joining N&P. The innovative and enthusiastic approach to new developments was one of the key factors that drew me to the Society. I am particularly inspired by the significant success in being the first lender to achieve Basel ll status. This will provide us with huge opportunities in the future to grow the business and share the benefits with our customers.”

At Abbey Commercial Mortgages, Graham joined the business to establish a Midlands region, which covered all the counties from Wales to East Anglia. This was followed more recently by a move to the head office in Harrow to undertake a number of leadership responsibilities.

Graham lives in Bulmer, near Sudbury in Suffolk. His interests include sailing.