David is widely acknowledged as the creator of the specialist mortgage industry and was a true pioneer in the secured and commercial lending industries.
He had a long career and was instrumental in the growth of the specialist lending sector. In the 1990s, he set up finance house J&J Securities, which after being acquired twice became i-Group.
After leaving i-Group, following its acquisition by GE Capital, David joined forces with Kensington founder Martin Feingold to set up commercial lender Commercial First in 2003. The pair later created Money Partners, in partnership with Kensington.
David also set up Link Lending in 2006 with Philip George, his partner at Commercial First, which David also set up with his son Stephen. After the crash, David secured funding from RBS Equity Finance, and both firms were subsequently acquired in January 2011 by Whiteaway Laidlaw Bank, which then rebranded as Shawbrook Bank.
Throughout his career David won many industry awards and accolades, most recently the Outstanding Contribution Award from Bridging and Commercial in June 2013.
Ian Henderson, CEO of Shawbrook Bank, said: “David’s career in the UK secured lending industry spanned more than 40 years and his experience and wisdom was key in setting up Shawbrook Bank with The Special Opportunities Fund managed by RBS Equity in 2011. David was an inspiration to us all and he played such an important role in making Shawbrook the success it is today. His leadership of the secured lending business was admired by many, as was his ability to predict changes and opportunities in the secured lending business as a whole that has enabled it to have the scale it does today.
“David has touched so many lives on a personal level and across the worlds of finance and horse racing, where he achieved so much success. He will be greatly missed by everyone who knew him and we all feel privileged to have known and worked with him.
“Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies go to David's family for their sad loss at this very difficult time.”
The news is also a sad loss for the racing world, as David was an incredibly successful racehorse owner. A six-time champion-owner six times, the pinnacle in David’s racing career was winning the Grand National in 2008 with Comply or Die.
Martin Pipe, 15-time champion trainer, said on Sunday: “I owe David a lot. It really was very sad news. More than an owner, he was a very dear friend.
"We had enormous success, but most of all had great fun together. He really was a super guy, a real gentleman. He was kind, generous, a wonderful family man.”
Eighteen-time champion jockey AP McCoy said: “So sad David Johnson has died after a very brave battle with cancer. He was a champion owner, a champion man and a great friend.”
A keen West Ham United fan, David spent three years as finance director of Colchester United in the 1990s.
He is survived by his wife Shirley and children Stephen and Lisa.
The entire B&C team’s thoughts are with David’s family and friends at this difficult time.
3 Comments
Michael white
Simply dreadful news, my sincere condolences go out to all of David’s family.
Anthony
Such a tragedy. A great man who helped shape the industry we all know and love. Thank you David, for the fun, the madness and for making it all just a little more tolerable. Rest in peace and love and best wishes to your family at this sad time.
Martyn Smith
A terrible loss to the industry of a great man, he will be dearly missed. My thoughts and wishes go out to his family at this sad time