10 Questions with... Andrew Harding, Business Development Manager, Goldentree Financial Services

10 Questions with... Andrew Harding, Business Development Manager, Goldentree Financial Services




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1. Who do you fancy off the telly?

I mean, it depends if you go for the younger man’s choice or the older man’s choice doesn’t it?
 
[B&C suspects that Andrew’s put some thinking into this one]
 
I mean, if you go for the younger man’s choice then I’d say Kelly Brook, but if you go for the older man option, then I’d say Susanna Reid.
 
2. OK, so when did you start working at Goldentree Financial Services, and where were you before that?
 
I started working at Goldentree Financial Services in March 2007, after leaving Endeavour, part of the HSBC group. I held numerous roles within the group, from branch manager, working in centralised secured lending via the broker network, credit card affiliation, to setting up new call centre operations.
 
B&C: I take it you’re very organised?
 
Well, depends who you ask, I am with my job; you’ve got to be in this business. But I don’t think my wife would say I was, especially not with our four kids.
 
3. What would you be doing now if you weren’t working at Goldentree?
 
Well I wasn’t good enough to go pro in the sports world, but there are so many different options out there, I really don’t know...
 
It would have to be something that involved working with people. I like to get out and meet people face to face; I’d go mad if I couldn’t talk and interact with people all day.
 
4. What did you want to be when you were a kid?
 
Anything to do with sport. I was sports mad – as long as you could kick it, hit it or throw it...
 
5. What’s the best and worst thing about your job?
 
Meeting new people is definitely one of the best things. I love interacting with introducers and clients on a daily basis, though it’s not just about meeting new people. Seeing a deal through to the end and watching people achieve their goals; that’s a great feeling for all of us. 
 
As for the worst thing, all businesses have their challenges. You can’t help everyone all the time, but we do our best. We don’t like having to say no, but it is part of what we have to do to be responsible lenders.
 
6. What trends do you predict within the industry over the next 12 months and how do you think Goldentree will grow?
 
I think that more investors will start looking at the commercial market place, as the buy-to-let market is likely to become regulated. If this happens I think there will be many more opportunities for capital growth on the commercial side.
 
As for Goldentree, we have just launched a new development strategy, which has included a new look website.
 
As a company we have a key responsibility to our investors to make sure all the money we lend is secure. Our funding is supplied by our investors and we're not reliant on any bank facilities, which is a real benefit to our customers and our business.
 
We will keep monitoring the security of our investment and talking to every one of our customers we lend to in order to offer an ongoing personal relationship and to have a full understanding of every individual and their needs.
 
7. What would people be surprised to learn about you?
 
I used to have very, very, very, long hair. I used to frequent Knebworth in the late 70s and 80s. 
 
B&C: Really? What happened?! When did you sell out?
 
I became folically challenged!
 
8. If you’re life was a TV show what would it be and why?
 
Only Fools and Horses, I admire their unwavering determination and entrepreneurial ambitions, always looking for the next big deal! 
 
9. What’s your favourite film?
 
For current stuff, The Bourne Trilogy with Matt Damon. For older stuff, The Godfather Trilogy. An hour and a half isn’t long enough when it’s a really good story line. I mean if I’m not going out and I’ve got a bottle of wine, an hour and half just doesn’t do it for me. Does that make me look really sad? I mean, I do still go out, but I’ve got four kids and babysitters are hard to come by... Where do you live Rebecca?
 
10. What’s your favourite book and why?
 
I really like sports autobiographies. They’re typically people who have been very successful and I like seeing how they got there. The last one I read was by Martin Johnson.
 
B&C: Who? 
 
[Andrew gasps, clearly incredulous]
 
Who? What? Did you say who? 

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