Top London events bring bridging industry together

Top London events bring bridging industry together




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Last week, bridging professionals from across the nation gathered in the heart of London to attend two top events.

At 9.00 a.m last Thursday at Kettners, Soho, five leading bridging lenders, legal and compliance experts, the CEO of short-term asset finance provider, borro, the CEO of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB), the Chairman of the Association of Bridging Professionals (AOBP), and various other industry names, gave their expert opinions, and more importantly their business cards, to around 60 intermediaries as part of the Bridging Finance Networking Forum.

Lucy Barrett, Director of Vantage Finance, said: “The purpose of the Bridging Finance Networking Forum was to bring together like minded professionals in the bridging finance sector, including lenders, brokers and packagers. 

“It was a great opportunity to see some familiar faces and some less familiar in an informal environment.”

The day began with introductory speeches from the CEO of NACFB Adam Tyler, and the Chairman of the AOBP, Sidney Cohen.

In addition to welcoming the brokers, Mr Tyler expressed the ongoing importance of social gatherings and more formal meetings within the industry, as they both contribute to the creation of a unified front.

He explained that for the commercial sector in particular, portraying the right message to the public and to the government, was crucial for progress.

Mr Tyler’s speech was followed by talks which included a legal case study description, an explanation of the use of asset finance as a ‘top up’ to other forms of lending, and an update on the most pressing compliance issues happening today.

Terry Markham, Director of the funding operation, said: “Events such as this are only important when there are added benefits, such as the presentations.

“I found it very useful to be able to get a compliance update from one of the leading experts in his field, and it was also very useful to get an insight into what borro can offer.”

In addition to offering intermediaries a greater insight into the opportunities available from various lenders, the lenders were able to meet brokers that may have worked in different areas previously.

Simon Ismail, of Manchester-based Goldentree Financial Service, said: “The bespoke, intimate and cosy venue created a professional yet informal atmosphere and the great turn out made for a very useful morning.”

 "I spoke with at least a dozen introducers that had either heard of us (or made a point of introducing themselves) or just come over to say hello.”

After the morning’s event’s had subsided, a further crowd of lenders and their teams joined the buzz for a ‘Director’s Lunch’, hosted by Bridging & Commercial.

 The champagne reception and extravagant menu were certainly a welcome conclusion to a busy and productive morning, and B&C were delighted to be able to give something back to the industry.

Ian Harrisson, Operations Director at Affirmative Finance, said: “After the “formal” morning, the talks etc. it was good to catch up with brokers old and new again.

“It was also great to meet my ‘opposite numbers’ in such a relaxed setting.”
 


 

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