He's in his first year at Brightstar and still holds out dreams of playing for Brighton and Hove Albion, Brendan Simpson spoke to Rob Jupp, Managing Director at Brightstar Financial Limited....

B&C: How long have you been at Brightstar and what did you do previously?

RJ: Since January 2011 where I lead the start up team. Previously I was a Director at Savills and previously the MD of PTP.

What did you want to be when you were a child?

A professional footballer for Brighton and Hove Albion (as I still do now!)

If you could do anything you wanted this Sunday, what would it be?

Have a personal audience with some of the ‘London Rioters’!

Which sports team do you support, if any, and why?

Brighton and Hove Albion FC. I’m originally from Sussex and have supported them for 33 years. I have been to over 500 games, home and away.

What is the best and worst thing about your job?

The best thing is the absolute buzz of getting deals agreed and the worst thing is the occasional low when lenders move goal posts or clients pull out

If you could be any animal, what would you be and why?

Definitely a male dog as they have big tongues!

What’s your favourite movie and why?

Goodfellas - It’s like the bridging industry!

What do you expect to happen in the bridging finance industry over the next 12 months?

Business as usual. The downturn will only happen when securitisation recommences at sensible yields and the mainstream lending market embraces specialist finance again.

What would you put in room 101 if you had the chance?

Crystal Palace FC and the London Rioters!

What’s your favourite book?

Build a Bonfire – The troubled years of Brighton and Hove Albion.