Keystone’s Riches to retire after 50-year career
Keystone Property Finance sales director Phil Riches will retire later this month, ending a career in financial services that has spanned five decades.
Riches has spent the past 14 years at Keystone Property Finance, having joined in 2012 following its relaunch. He was appointed head of sales in 2013 before being promoted to sales director in 2018.
During his tenure, Riches helped shape Keystone Property Finance’s proposition, regularly appeared at roadshows, conferences and industry events to discuss developments in the complex buy-to-let (BTL) market.
Following his departure, Steve Griffiths, Keystone Property Finance’s commercial director, will assume responsibility for account relationships.
Riches began his career in 1976 as a clerk at National Westminster Bank before moving into managerial roles at City & Metropolitan Building Society and Nationwide Building Society. He then joined Paragon Mortgages in 1991 as a regional sales manager.
In the early 2000s, he moved to Platform as divisional sales manager, before joining Solution4 as sales director in 2008.
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Commenting on his retirement, Riches (pictured) 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.”
He added: “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.”
David Whittaker, CEO of Keystone Property Finance, said Riches had played a significant role in the lender’s growth and development.
“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,” he said.
Whittaker added: “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, also paid tribute to Riches, describing him as one of the industry’s most knowledgeable and approachable figures.
He said: “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.
“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.”
