The People Behind Goldentree
At Goldentree FS, our team is driven by a shared commitment to putting clients at the heart of everything we do. Every team member brings deep experience in property finance, lending, underwriting and client relationship management. We believe the best financial guidance comes from people who care as much about your future, understand your needs and are with you every step of the way.
Phil Derbyshire, Managing Director
Phil’s role is to captain the team and clients, blending corporate banking expertise with an organised, people-first mindset. He’s especially proud of helping double the size of the loan book and raising over £390k for The Manchester Ball.
Steve Marsh, Director
With almost 50 years in lending, Steve brings calm, seasoned judgement and a motorbike enthusiast’s love of the open road, always ready to help others succeed and hunt down the office biscuits.
Sue Bickerton, Finance Director
Sue has been our financial anchor since 2009, blending decades of experience with a calm, strategic approach. Beyond the numbers, she’s an art lover, music fan and keen tennis player.
Scott Hannah, Head Of Sales
Scott’s role (including accomplished drone pilot), brings 36 years of expertise in asset and property finance. He enjoys long walks, barbecues with family and embracing a ‘carpe diem’ approach to life.
Ryan Hughes, Business Development Manager
Ryan helps investors and developers finance their projects, bringing 20 years of property experience with a charity-challenge mindset. Outside of work, he’ll be found watching sport and spending time with his son.
Sam Wilson, Business Development Manager
Sam helps brokers and clients secure fast, flexible funding drawing on deep property know-how and a knack for creative, solution-led thinking. Away from the desk, he’s a former fastest 100m sprinter in the Northwest, a dedicated F1 fan and proud family man.
Dan Wright, Sales & Marketing Executive
Dan connects the dots between sales and marketing, loves digging into the detail behind every project to keep things moving behind the scenes. He’s motivated by making life easier for the team – and playing his part in easing Britain’s housing crisis.
Lucas Coope, Business Development Executive
A crucial part of the expanding sales team, Lucas excels when it comes to reviewing new enquiries, building relationships with brokers, and making sure the BDMs have everything they need to get deals done.
Finlay Hanlon, Business Development Executive
Our newest recruit, Finlay provides brilliant sales support for our BDMs and brings bags of enthusiasm to the office every single day.
Newton Baker, Head Of New Deal Applications
Newton leads the New Deals team from first inquiry to completion, drawing on over 25 years in financial services (including Natwest & Santander) and finds developing relationships at a smaller company fulfilling. He holds an impressive two-year Spanish streak on Duolingo. Bien hecho!
Gary Halsall, Administration Manager
Gary ensures transactions move seamlessly so borrowers can complete with confidence. With experience across Santander and property finance, he pairs expertise and organisation to every deal.
Sally Shorrock, Administration Assistant
Sally prepares loan documents and meticulously checks every condition is met, combining Natwest experience and CPSP training with a love of holidays and spending time with her children, family and friends.
Alex Townley, Head Of Portfolio Management
Alex leads the Portfolio Management Team, underwriting key drawdowns with 14 years’ RBS experience in fraud and senior credit. What drives him is making a difference – whether shaping a deal or fixing an IT issue.
Anne Ellis, Property Development Manager
Anne supports clients with their drawdowns from first spade in the ground to completion, building genuine relationships and celebrating every time a development finishes on a high.
Debbie Greene, Property Development Manager
Debbie thrives on getting out to site, chatting with borrowers and watching projects grow into ‘superhomes’, all while bringing her trademark energy and standing tall at 4ft 9.
Louise Fallows, Property Development Manager
Louse is a real team player and key day-to-day contact for clients, managing drawdowns with a smile. When she’s not on the phone, she can usually be found planning her next caravan adventure or paddleboarding session.
Sam Oldfield, Property Development Manager
Sam helps Goldentree manage relationships and property development funding. Away from the office, he’s a golf enthusiast, property renovator and self-proclaimed Chief Entertainment Officer – always ready for catch ups with a milk frother in hand.
Jonathan Kay, Administration Assistant
Jonathan is a spreadsheet wizard who runs the back-office systems, blending 30 years at Natwest with a runner’s stamina and a calm, methodical approach.
Karen Hanlon, Administration Assistant
Karen supports the Property Development Managers with drawdowns and client queries and is just as likely to be found organising a buffet or chatting with residents as she is making visitors feel at home with a cuppa.
Mary Warnock, Administration Assistant
Mary supports the Development Managers by overseeing residential development projects. She loves seeing them come to life, drawing on nearly three decades of experience and Goldentree’s longest-serving employee.
Gayle Taylor,
Recoveries & Collections
Gayle specialises in turning round challenging situations, pairing 39 years of banking experience with a ‘never give up’ attitude, she also enjoys the gym, playing the cello in an orchestra and dog walks.
Kate Clough,
Head Of Legal
Kate leads the legal side of the business, keeping deals moving quickly through smart, commercial solutions. A qualified solicitor, she’s known for her calm, clear approach. Weekends are best enjoyed with family, football and a glass of champagne!
Michael Wan, Solicitor
Michael provides in-house legal support on development and bridging finance, taking pride in making complex issues simple, so he can finish the day switching off with family, good food and junior football matches.
Megan Yates, Account Assistant
Megan keeps the numbers in line and the invoices flowing, genuinely enjoying the satisfaction of clearing backlogs and being part of a close-knit team that pulls together.
Sue Bickerton, Finance Director
Sue has been our financial anchor since 2009, blending decades of experience with a calm, strategic approach. Beyond the numbers, she’s an art lover, music fan and keen tennis player.
Paul Hart Property Development Manager
Paul makes sure policies and procedures are followed to the letter, bringing five decades of banking experience, a lifelong loyalty to Manchester City and a dry sense of humour about ‘doing things right’.
Dawn Whitfield, Office Manager
Dawn keeps the office calm, organised and welcoming, drawing on years in banking, a love of choir singing and a genuine enjoyment of looking after people.
Paul Hart Property Development Manager
Paul makes sure policies and procedures are followed to the letter, bringing five decades of banking experience, a lifelong loyalty to Manchester City and a dry sense of humour about ‘doing things right’.