For our first issue, The Weekender sat down with Gareth Lewis, Head of Sales at Precise Mortgages, to discuss Disneyland, Take That and pouring pints for punters.
Gareth, who is married and has one daughter, has had a busy past month, where he celebrated not only storming through the London marathon, but his ten year anniversary in the bridging market.
Broker interaction is his favourite aspect of his role as Head of Sales at Precise. He mentioned: “Unlike mainstream mortgages, you’re actually involved in cases, helping to make a deal work.”
Celebrating his tenth year anniversary in bridging at the beginning of this month, Gareth said that if he could have any other job it would be the role of a professional rugby player. Gareth added: “Isn't every boy’s dream to be a professional sportsman?”
Gareth is an all-rounder when it comes to sports, he said: “I'm a keen sportsman, [I enjoy] rugby, golf and football.” He admits that he now plays less than he used to, and instead spends more time in the gym doing CrossFit or Gym Jones workouts .
Never discouraged by a challenge, he recently ticked the London Marathon off his to-do list. When asked about the next item on his bucket list, he joked: “Maybe climb a mountain!”
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Picture: Gareth Lewis in his recovery running tights
As much as he loves his sport, Gareth is a family man. He said: “[My life’s] proudest moment has to be the birth of my little girl.”
He also enjoys travelling with his wife and daughter. He stated: “I have a couple of trips to Paris coming up, first on rugby tour (I'm possibly getting too old for this now) and the second is a trip to Disneyland - my little girl is going to love it!
When asking him where his favourite travel spot is , he answered: “As a holiday destination, Kenya for my honeymoon was immense - I love a good nature show.”
“In the UK, it's is always good to head back to Bournemouth to see my friends and family, [it is a] great place to visit.”
Growing up in Bournemouth, Gareth revealed he used to run a bar there, although he never really saw himself as a pub landlord. He told The Weekender that his instinct was to embark on a career in finance – naturally.
Gareth fell into finance when the manager of a local Chelsea Building Society gave him the opportunity to work there. Gareth suggested that most people in the financial service industry don’t aim to be in finance when they are at school.
The Weekender wrapped up the interview with a few quick fire questions...
Your most embarrassing moment:
Gareth: “I'm not embarrassed easily I'm afraid, but one story springs to mind involving a trip to the nurse at primary school - I'm not saying anymore.”
If stranded on a desert island, what three things would you choose to have with you?:
Gareth: “I'm not very good at sitting still so this would be hell. [A] fully loaded Kindle, rugby ball and an endless supply of Lego!” Good luck with the battery on that Kindle…
Reveal something that people wouldn’t know about you:
Gareth: “I have been to two Take That concerts…I’d [also] like to study psychology, people really interest me.”
Name one thing you would wish for at this moment in time:
Gareth: “To be handed the deeds to a country mansion! I'm getting old.”
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