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Championing the human side of specialist finance




The Budget may have landed late in the year, and the pre-Budget rumour mill certainly rattled nerves — with October’s dip in mortgage approvals only adding to the tension — but the mood across broker and lender circles is shifting.

The consensus? The UK housing market isn’t cracking; it’s recalibrating. And in a landscape finally steadying itself, this is the moment to act with purpose and build partnerships that go beyond transactions and into strategy.

That sentiment hit home for us at Bridging & Commercial, too. In fact, I write about the week Medianett Publishing made the bold call to halve our client base. Two hundred miles on the road, 40-plus hours of conversations, and three completely unhinged hours of karaoke later, we came out the other side with something rare in this industry: clarity. We learned the power of focus and the importance of saying no. Because we’re not here to collect ad spend, we’re here to build premium, long-term partnerships that actually move the needle.

This issue reflects that energy. Zahira Fayyazz from Market Financial Solutions shares how lenders can support brokers when borrowers diversify. Caroline Luxmore, Recognise Bank’s CCO, talks sustainable growth, while CSBF Capital Partners outlines why family-run lenders provide a unique approach and priority to brokers.

We also hit the racetrack with Allica Bank’s driving champion Daniella Sutton to explore supporting the unusual and tackling female underrepresentation. Our exceptional cover story catches up with the class of 2025—those on this year’s Power List—to see what they’ve achieved, who inspires them, and what has defined their year.

Elsewhere, we meet the women behind Sisters in Property, take a FRIENDS-themed coffee break with Project & Co, and speak with Masthaven about its development masterclasses and why now is the right time for open, honest market conversations.

This issue is about focus, opportunity, and ambition. The market is finding its rhythm again, and we’re here to help you navigate it—celebrating bold thinking partnerships and the people shaping the future.

From our team to yours, we wish you a happy holiday and a prosperous New Year.

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