Simon Meadows speaks to Claire O’Brien, our Head of Underwriting

Tell us about the business you represent and your role there?

Alternative Bridging is a specialised lender excelling in bridging and development funding, with a deep understanding of property at the heart of our business. We have a wealth of knowledge and experience from our Board through to our in-house asset management team, long-standing and experienced specialist lending underwriting team, and our tenacious sales team.

I head up the specialist lending Underwriting team. We pride ourselves on understanding every deal and underwriting efficiently to ensure we secure funding for our brokers and their clients that meets their needs. We are constantly reviewing what we do and how we do it to ensure we can offer best-in-class service and specialist underwriting solutions.

What’s your career journey been and what do you enjoy most about working in the mortgage / financial services industry?

I started off my career with Natwest working in a local branch, before seeking a move into a business centre in the West End of London, which is really where I cut my teeth in property lending. After gaining lending experience, I moved to Allied Irish Bank where I grew as a Relationship Manager, working my way up through the business in both lending and leadership roles.

I moved into the bridging sector in 2019 and had a fantastic four years with UTB before taking up the exciting challenge that Alternative Bridging has presented me with.

The finance sector has been my home for the last 30 years, my passion for getting a deal across the line keeps things exciting for me, as does helping younger talent to develop. I have worked with some inspirational figures over the years, whom I have learnt a great deal from. My advice to younger people entering the specialist lending sector is to have a wide network that you can learn from. Having a strong advocate to challenge and mentor you is invaluable.

How do you view the market currently and its challenges?

It feels as though we have weathered the worst of the storm, but there will still be many investors coming to the end of a low buy-to-let mortgage rate who will experience a payment shock. Brokers have the chance to help them navigate the environment and open up new opportunities. Often these opportunities will require alternative types of specialist property lending, and we’re available to help with those enquiries.

What do you think will be the biggest development in the specialist lending industry this year – and where do you think the industry will be in 12 months?

I think this will be a year of adjustment, as borrowers get used to a higher rate environment and activity gradually begins to increase again. There is, of course, a general election coming, which always creates uncertainty, but I’m hopeful that the outlook will be more stable and ever more positive as the year progresses.

What is the biggest barrier to success faced by brokers this year and how can they overcome it?

Property investors and business owners have an increasingly diverse range of circumstances. Brokers can help to meet these requirements by working with alternative property lenders.

In this general election year, what more can Westminster politicians do to support the industry? Is the government doing enough to support the sector?

I just hope that there isn’t too much intervention in the sector. We obviously need to build more homes and developers would welcome meaningful measures to encourage this. But overall, we have a very competitive and healthy property lending market that will thrive in a stable environment.

What is the one business lesson from your own career that you might wish to share?

Never be afraid to have a voice and give your opinion.

Learn more about underwriting here in our latest guide