Lending champion

Given that working within the lending market is an extremely tough, competitive and demanding business, it’s applaudable that one of its members is leading a double life as professional sports champion.

Greg Hegarty works with the bridging and development team at specialist mortgage broker Finance 4 Business, but he is also a 13-time karate champion, and, despite a growing pipeline of business at the firm, he still manages to compete professionally.

Although October is seen as one of the busiest months, Greg will need to find a way to balance his work with his hobby after being called to compete in the World Championships.

Greg Hegarty, Karate Champion

Greg started karate at just six-years-old after pestering his Karate World Champion uncle to let him train.

Greg took his Shodan (1st Dan) at the age of 10 under Sensei Sherry and his Nidan (2nd Dan) two years later with the late Sensei Enoeda. Due to an age requirement, he had to wait until he was 21 before he could grade again.

Greg was invited by Sensei Sherry to train with the Karate Union of Great Britain (KUGB) England Junior (16-21 years) team at the age of 14, and was one of only three squad members under the age of 16.

Greg went on to become an integral part of both the KUGB England and British Teams.

After representing England as a Junior, Greg went straight into the British Senior Team for the Japan Karate Association
World Championships that were held in Tokyo. He competed at the world famous Nippon Budokan and helped the team win a Bronze medal.

In the same year, Greg went on to win an Individual Bronze medal in the European Shotokan Karate-do Association Championships scoring an ippon for an excellently-timed ushirogeri (back kick) against multiple World and European Champion Andreas Horn in the first round.

Since then, Greg has passed his 5th Dan and won a number of titles including UK Grand Slam Champion (twice) and Central Region Grand Champion (five times).

To see Greg in action, click here.

Greg called time on his competitive career in 2004, and more recently became part of the alternative finance industry after passing his CeMap 1,2 and 3 through Distance Learning.

In a fortuitous twist of fate, Greg met Russell Martin, Managing Director of Finance 4 Business, while watching his son play for a team which Russell managed, and sought guidance for a way to enter the market.

While initially looking to become a mortgage broker, Greg decided to join the Finance 4 Business team.

“Finance 4 Business are the number one choice for many introducers for regulated bridging enquiries and Greg has proved to be a key addition to the Finance 4 Business team,” commented Russell.

“Having completed the in-house Finance 4 Business training programme, Greg graduated with colours, quickly demonstrating a thorough understanding of the market, allied to his regulatory status this has proved to be a powerful combination.

Greg Hegarty of Finance 4 Business

Greg has now completed his initial six-month probationary period and works full-time with a strong pipeline of business that is growing month-on-month.

While Finance 4 Business strive to be number one for introducers in the market, Greg is looking to hold the same position after recently being recalled to compete in the World Shotokan Karate Championships.

For more details on the championship, click here.