Royston Smith, Executive Chairman of the first bridging company to be floated on the AIM stock exchange, Bridgingloans.com, died on Friday the 13th of December, aged 82.
Colleague of Roy’s Son Martyn Smith, Ian Parsons, also Director of bridging lender Bath and West Finance said: “Many claim to have pioneered the development of bridging finance but Royston Smith is without doubt one of the true founders.”
“Through his commitment to providing a quality service, bridgingloans.com achieved the industry’s accolade of being Bridging Lender of the Year in 2008 and was widely recognised by many as the market leader and cutting edge in this market place.” Roy was involved in financial services from around 1962 with insurance broker Smith Martyn & Co. He later established Bristol and West Investments plc in 1982, better known in it's latter years by its’ trading name bridgingloans.com.
In 2005, the lender was subsequently sold, a week after the death of Royston’s wife Maureen.
Roy was involved in establishing a number of finance companies. He recently rekindled his love for finance by acting as one of the backers, with his son Martyn Smith, to establish the new bridging lender Bath and West Finance.
Ian Parsons continued: “Roy was always modest with his achievements and few will know of his substantial support to the Princes Trust and various charities including financing a hospital wing.
“He was a very active sportsman and had a great passion for horse racing, owning twelve race horses. “
“He had many successes in the financial world and even staying active and with a sharp business mind until his last days. “
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