Rising Star: Nik Sukara, Bluestone Mortgages

This week, Specialist Lending Solutions is talking to Nik Sukara, business development manager (BDM) at Bluestone Mortgages.

What does your role entail and how long have you been doing it?

This is my second spell with Bluestone Mortgages. Having started out as a telephone BDM, I was delighted to return to a field-based BDM position and have been back now for over a year. In my role, I’m focused on managing intermediary relationships within the Yorkshire and North West regions.

What attracted you to working in the mortgage/property/finance sector?

I was attracted by the endless opportunities and the fast-paced environment. While it’s not been an easy few years with everything that has happened within the mortgage market and the wider economic environment, I’m thankful for all the experiences I’ve gained.

In particular, supporting brokers in helping their customers find the best available solutions for their unique circumstances. It’s always heart-warming to be able to help people step onto or up the property ladder and achieve their homeownership dreams.

What were you doing in the five years before starting here?

My path into the industry is an unconventional one to say the least. I didn’t have a background in financial services before joining Bluestone, but had worked in customer services at both a casino for five years, and then two years in car sales before Covid hit. I then saw a telephone BDM role advertised and the rest, as they say, is history.

What personal talent/skill is most valuable in doing your job?

I’m someone who always enjoys helping people – and this hasn’t changed from when I started my career to now. I’m also a very driven person and always go the extra mile for my brokers, leaving no stone unturned to deliver a positive outcome.

How has the pandemic changed the way you approach your job?

I’ve always preferred to be out in the field, but Covid has changed the way we work, and as a result, I’ve had to become more flexible given the hybrid working patterns of the mortgage industry. This has been made much easier too by technology, which has enabled me to speak to more brokers about Bluestone’s propositions and the benefits of working with us.

What is the most interesting/memorable property deal/case you’ve been involved in?

It’s hard to pick a single case, as there’s never a dull moment at Bluestone. With the type of lending that we do in supporting customers with adverse credit backgrounds, we see a lot of interesting cases where people’s lives have been impacted by events beyond their control. It’s extremely rewarding to be able to help these customers, who thought it not possible, to achieve their homeownership goals.

Where do you see yourself in five years’ time?

I love my job at Bluestone and, in time, would love to progress into a more senior role either within key accounts or as a national account manager. I’d also like to be back at Wembley celebrating Bradford City’s return to the promised land, but that’s not looking likely.

If present-day you could go back in time and tell yourself something five years ago, what would it be?

Buy Apple stocks.

What’s the biggest challenge you’ve tackled so far in your career?

Without a doubt, the economic uncertainty of the last few years has been a rollercoaster for the mortgage industry. However, we’re hopeful now that we’re coming out of the woods and on a brighter path with inflation starting to ease.

If you could have one superpower, what would it be?

The ability to travel back in time – I would love to see ancient Egypt.

And, finally, what’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?

I am 6’6, and I get asked on a daily basis: “Why are you so tall?” I’m never quite sure what response they think they’ll get.