Meet the team
The people who look at your case
Our values are embedded through an experienced professional team who are empowered to deliver exceptional service. Twelve of us, in one building in Birmingham — so the person who answers the phone can usually walk over to the person who will underwrite the case.
- Twelve
- people, one office
- Four
- founding members still here
- Birmingham
- Bank House, Cherry Street
- Since 2009
- lending against property
Sales and business development
Covering England and WalesThe people intermediaries deal with day to day. They can be on a call with your client the same day.
Business development
Richard Keen
National Sales Manager
Richard has worked in banking and property lending for over twenty-five years, and is recognised for a quality of service that generates significant repeat business and referrals.
Business development
Henry Wright
Business Development Manager
Henry brings seven years of expertise in customer relationship building, four of them in financial services. His background enables him to foster lasting client connections and drive satisfaction through tailored solutions.
Business development
Ashley Smith
Business Development Manager
Ashley brings a strong commercial background with senior leadership experience, including managing multi-million-pound budgets and complex partner relationships. He is focused on progressing deals smoothly from enquiry to completion.
Business development
Shardel Harris
Business Development Executive
Shardel has over eight years working within the mortgage industry and is well versed in handling intermediary requirements and delivering a superior level of customer service.
Underwriting and operations
From enquiry through to redemptionThe people who read the case, and the people who keep it moving once it is on.
Underwriting
Andrew Franklin
Senior Underwriter
Andrew has worked in banking and property lending for twenty-three years. He is able to assess the best structure for each case, which means he can offer excellent service on every proposition.
Underwriting
Jaspreet Sangha
Junior Underwriter
With a career spanning several years in specialist finance, Jaspreet possesses a wealth of industry knowledge. She is dedicated to providing efficient support and building strong professional relationships.
Client service
Paul Nicholls
Client Account Manager
Paul has worked in the banking and financial sector for over twenty-four years. A can-do attitude and a keen eye for detail enable him to deliver a high level of service to all his clients, in a timely manner.
Finance
Nivine El-Jamal
Financial Controller
Nivine has over nine years of experience in the accountancy field, working with a multitude of businesses. Equipped with a forward-thinking mindset and a knack for growth, she manages all of the group’s financials.
Board and directors
All four are founding membersThe people who set the terms and carry the decisions. They are in the same building as the underwriters, and they take their own calls.
Founding member
Steve Smith
Chairman
Steve founded the retail chain Poundland and grew it into a household name, selling the business in 2006. He has since focused on property transactions and entrepreneurial opportunities.
Founding member
John Yates
Managing Director
John has twenty years of commercial and residential property funding experience. He was responsible for managing the secured lending department of a high street bank and brings a wealth of experience in property underwriting.
Founding member
David Grant
Operations Director
David held many senior management positions, including Head of Operations, across forty years in banking and finance. He has considerable property funding experience in structuring propositions, underwriting and business governance.
Founding member
Mark Smith
Non Executive Director
Mark was European CEO for Claire's Stores from 1996 to 2002, growing the European business to 650 stores. He was also part of the team that took the business private in 2007, and has focused on property investment since.
Request a callback
Three fields. One phone call.
Leave your number and we will call you back the same working day, whether you are the borrower or the broker. If you would rather talk now, the office line is answered by the lending team.
Think carefully before securing other debts against your home. Your home may be repossessed if you do not keep up repayments on a mortgage or any other debt secured on it.