1. What does your role consist of and what roles/experience have you had in the past?

Hampshire Trust Bank launched into the bridging sector in March. I was involved in the launch and am responsible for growing the business and maintaining and building new broker relationships. I have more than 25 years of experience in property lending and was self-employed before joining Hampshire Trust Bank, with previous positions including director, lending at Heritable Bank and head of mortgage lending at Sun Bank.

2. Did you always want to work in finance?

Not really, I wanted to play cricket professionally, but once that failed ­ with my Dad working in insurance, and my brother an accountant - banking seemed the obvious route!

3. Why did you decide to join Hampshire Trust Bank?

The chance to be involved in the start-up of a new business line within this growing and well-respected specialist challenger bank was just the opportunity I had been looking out for. I have the chance to shape the team right from the start to ensure we deliver the high levels of service and certainty that brokers require.

4. What one thing would you change about the bridging industry?

The reputation it originally had. I feel this is changing, but “bridging” is still misunderstood by many and hopefully this can be rectified over time.

5. How have you found the reaction from brokers since Hampshire Trust Bank launched into bridging?

We are delighted by the positive reaction we have received since entering the market. It’s important to brokers that they work with lenders that truly understand the market and we believe that we provide a real choice and the specialist knowledge that intermediaries are looking for.

6. What exciting projects does Hampshire Trust Bank have this year? 

We are focused on continuing to grow the bank. For instance, the Commercial Mortgages division, which includes the bridging team, will double in size this year, which is pretty exciting.

7. What is the biggest challenge for the bridging market this year?

With all the competition in the market, the biggest challenge is to be innovative, flexible and provide competitive products.

8. Explain the most interesting deal you have seen at Hampshire Trust Bank.  

You have to remember that we are still very new so we don’t have a huge amount of bridging loans to compare at the moment. The bank did recently provided a £10.8m bridging loan for a highly desirable development in the heart of London. I think this is interesting as you don’t see this type of high-end property every day – but we are seeing more and more enquiries of this type.   

9. What is your favourite part about the bridging industry?

The variety and challenge to provide solutions to suit the borrowers’ needs.

10. Who is your idol and why?

 No one person – there are many people in all walks of life that I’ve admired for their individual achievements.