Jason McGee-Abe spoke with Carl Graham, New Business Executive at Bridgebank Capital…

(1) How long have you been in the industry and how did you get to where you are now?

I have worked in the financial services industry for the best part of 7 years, however the last 12 months has seen me working as a licensing manager for a Marketing Company. Prior to this my previous 7 years had been spent in the specialist lending market. I’ve worked as a BDM and a mandated underwriter for 2 specialist lenders. Most of my time has been spent in packager’s offices up and down the country. Having been out of the industry for a year, when the opportunity came along to join Bridgebank Capital and get back into the financial services arena, I didn’t hesitate.

(2) What is the most significant difference you see between your first and most recent days in bridging?

Gone are the days when bridging was seen as a ‘last resort’. As liquidity in the mainstream market remains tight, bridging has developed itself as a highly, credible alternative.  

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

Having grown up in Southport and born in the famous City of Liverpool, the only team for me was reds of Liverpool FC. Considering Bridgebank Capital is based in Manchester, you can image my apprehension in telling the office where my allegiances lay.

(4) If you could change one thing about the sector, what would it be?

There needs to be a greater understanding from both brokers and some of the newer lenders in this space as to the “pricing of risk” and that this is a serious, high risk and niche element of money lending that warrants the return levels required by established lenders and their funders.

(5) If you could have one superpower, what would you choose and why?

It would have to be the ability to foresee the future. Need I mention the benefits?

(6) What was the last film you saw and what did you think of it?

Senna. What a legend! This was the first official documentary feature about his life, following his unfortunate death. The film features some amazing archive material, much of which is previously unseen.

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

How about every TV soap ever created? Eastenders, Coronation Street to name just a few. My other half is addicted to them, which means I never get a look in with the remote.

(8) What’s your favourite book? 

It has to be ‘Mr Nice’ the life story of Howard Marks. Whilst at University studying Law and Criminology I was lucky enough to meet the notorious Welsh drug smuggler.

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

The market will see the emergence of even more new lenders. However, competition and demand for the product will remain strong as the mainstream sector is unlikely to rediscover its lending appetite any time soon.

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

How about picking up the keys to my new Lamborghini Murciélago? How good would that be?! Oh and don’t forget the ‘free for life’ fuel card.