Medianett celebrates The Silver Years

Medianett dedicates this edition to the well-known industry faces who have been contributing to the market for over 25 years…

Section: Features

Medianett dedicates this edition to the well-known industry faces who have been contributing to the market for over 25 years.

As it is quite an achievement to be serving the same sector for over 25 years, Medianett has taken note to hear a wise word or two from the long-standers of the alternative finance industry.

Marc Goldberg, Board Director of the Blemain Group

 

Marc has been in the industry for a sturdy 25 years and has no intention whatsoever of retiring any time soon. If he had to do another job, some sort of link to property would be a must. When asked about his entry into the finance world, he recalled : “I babysat for Henry Moser’s daughters and he offered me a job with a car - it was the car that lured me!”

Marc achieved the position of Board Director at Blemain’s parent firm, Jerrold Holdings, and has remained loyal for a quarter of a decade. Marc told us: “Throughout my career I have received numerous approaches and opportunities to start up on my own - I can honestly say I have no regrets about continuing to work at Jerrold Holdings.”

His golden rules for success: “Give 110 per cent at all times, always conduct yourself with honesty and integrity, and always return people’s calls.”

  

Roger Morris, Director of Sales, Precise Mortgages 

 Also hitting his silver anniversary as of late is Roger Morris who unexpectedly scooped up his first job in the industry when he applied for a remortgage, but found he didn’t have enough equity. It wasn’t all bad because instead of leaving with a loan, he ended up leaving with a sales job in mortgages. Since then, his career has skyrocketed. Highlights include working on projects in South Africa and building mortgage packager em-financial. He managed to nurture the packaging firm from a standing start to completing £130,000,000 a month with a fleet of 130 people. 

However, things took a turn for the unfortunate when Roger had to shut down em-financial and consequently make 130 people redundant. Reflecting on this testing situation, Roger said: “Telling them all face to face as we did this - close friends, not just employees - the love they gave me back as I did this was so humbling....”

Roger’s advice for success: “Always work hard, harder and harder again, never give up and always do what you say you’re going to do no matter how tired you are.” 

Jonathan Newman of Brightstone Law 

 

For Jonathan, the major career leap to London was a tough move, due to the fact that he had to leave family and friends behind. Oh, and not to forget, Manchester United.

As a law practitioner, Jonathan has been involved in some rewarding and positive landmark court wins for the lending community. He reflected: “That said, I consider my greatest achievement as building a business, a team of like-minded individuals, and a brand at Brightstone Law which I am immensely proud of. Oh, yes, and winning the B&C Best Bridging Legal Partner title four years in a row. They said it could not be done!”

If Jonathan wasn’t where he was today, he would quite like Prince Charles’ job, as heir to the throne. “What a job that is. He’s managed to reach retirement age before actually starting work,” he said.

Jonathan’s advice for success: “Be independent of thought and act with integrity at all times. There is no shortcut to success without hard graft. Says he at 7.30pm..!”

James Bloom, CEO of Regentsmead

 James has been involved in property and property finance for over 27 years, after joining Regentsmead in 1987 on the property management side and quickly progressing to finance. James believes he is far too young to even think about retiring and is dedicating his time for the foreseeable future to building the business up and helping to re-generate the SME house building sector. When asked what he would do if he could have any other job, James replied: “I could have played professional football for Arsenal, but for lack of talent!”

James was appointed first as a Director of Regentsmead and then Chief Executive. James said: “Given Regentsmead has been in business since 1934, this was a real honour and one I am still very proud of.”

We found out that the hardest decision he’s ever had to make was having to let a member of staff go. “[it is] always very unpleasant and something that should always be done with a heavy heart, irrespective of the situation. Thankfully, this is an incredibly rare occurrence at Regentsmead - we are far too busy hiring than firing!”

James’s advice for success: “I would say that you need to constantly show tenacity and always give sufficient thought to a problem or situation as there is usually a solution. Without tenacity and an inner burning desire to succeed, it will be difficult to progress as these qualities are essential in any business. Always listen to others - whatever stage you are at. I am still learning daily and hope to continue to do so for the next 27 years at least.” 

Colin Sanders, CEO of bridging lender Omni Capital 

 

Also in no mood to retire is Colin Sanders, who has been working in finance since 1984. He gave the golden years a try, but told us that he doesn’t think it suited him. However, he did admit to us that he could see himself as a fly-fishing guide on the River Test in Hampshire, working the easy period of spring summer and early autumn. A man with a vision, clearly.

We found out that Colin started off in finance after needing a job at the tender age of 19, when he joined Provident Personal Credit as an Assistant Branch Manager, and started to collect overdue debts in the Isle of Dogs and East London. He described that period of time as “an education!”

At the peak of his career, Colin completed the management buy-out of specialist mortgage lender, igroup, as a founding director, then went on to sell the business to GE two years later. This, in turn, got him appointed as CEO of GE Home Lending. Colin admitted that the hardest decision he ever had to make was leaving the firm after eight years, to set up a competitor business, Money Partners, in 2004.

Colin’s advice for success: “Throw yourself into your career. You'll enjoy it much more and get so much more out. Also, remember that if you plan on staying in the same industry – what goes around comes around!”

David Sampson, Operations Director of Omega Commercial Solutions Limited

David, who has just celebrated his 10th anniversary at Omega, has been in mainstream banking for 30 years. His career kicked off quite randomly after having no idea what he wanted to do after his A-levels. It resulted in him taking a trip to the job centre which led him onto the path of banking after seeing a job advertisement. 

David’s biggest achievement throughout his career was getting over the initial sheer terror of giving up a nice safe, paid employment years ago and getting to the point of being where he is now. “[My hardest decision was] moving from that nice, safe job with a guaranteed wage and pension to self-employment 10 years ago,” David added.

If David could have any other job, he would be a lead guitarist in a rock band, however he is only limited to the opening chords of ‘All Right Now’ by Free. When he retires, he wants to go and live on an island somewhere. Who can argue with that? 

David’s advice for success: “Even though it looks scary, if it’s what you want, go for it. And be nice to people but without ever compromising your integrity or beliefs.”

Kevin Jones, Chief Executive of Omega Commercial Solutions Limited

 Kevin has worked in the finance industry for a staggering 42 years, where just over four decades ago, his career started after a friend persuaded him to join a bank. That’s what we call a good friend! Kevin started Omega back in 1992, which he stated was his biggest achievement. 

In the fatal year of 2008, he made his most difficult decisions, when he had to advise staff that they were being made redundant.

When Kevin retires, he wants to live a long, healthy life and enjoy the free time he has to spend with his family. When asked what he would be doing if he wasn’t in finance, Kevin said: “I’d be a professional golfer!”

 

 Kevin’s advice for success: “Stay focussed, work hard and be careful who you trust…”

Keywords: Omega, Jonathan Newman, Kevin Jones, Brightstone Law, Omni Capital, Bridging, lenders, commercial, finance, silver years, feature, profile

Source: Bridging & Commercial — https://bridgingandcommercial.co.uk/medianett-celebrates-the-silver-years