Which locations and how many advisers and broker firms do you cover in your role at Landbay?
I cover the Midlands region, where over 1,000 broker firms have access to Landbay’s products. It’s a large and diverse patch, which means I’m constantly speaking to brokers with different types of businesses, clients and case requirements.
What personal talent or skill is most valuable in doing your job?
Adaptability. No two days, no two cases and no two brokers are ever the same, so being able to adjust your approach quickly is essential. In specialist BTL lending, you are often dealing with cases that don’t fit neatly into a standard box. You need to be able to think on your feet, understand what the broker is trying to achieve and tailor your support accordingly. Being adaptable also helps when managing expectations and navigating challenges as they arise, which is a big part of the job.
What personal talent or skill would you most like to improve on?
I’ve always wished I could juggle. It’s not exactly a core manager skill, but it would definitely come in handy given how many things we’re often balancing at once.
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What’s the hardest part of your job?
Saying no to business. As much as I would love to say yes to everything, and Landbay has a very flexible and solutions-driven approach, there are always going to be cases that fall outside of criteria. That can be frustrating, particularly when you’ve built a good relationship with a broker and want to help them place a deal. The key is being transparent and explaining the reasons clearly, while also looking at whether there are alternative options or ways to structure the case differently.
What do you love most about your job?
Finding solutions and troubleshooting alongside brokers. There’s a real sense of satisfaction in taking a complex case, working through the challenges and getting it over the line. Those are the moments that stick with you. When you’ve been involved from the initial conversation through to completion and you know you’ve helped make it happen, it’s a great feeling. That problem-solving aspect is what keeps the role interesting.
Are there any popular misconceptions about your job?
That we all spend our time playing golf. Unfortunately, that’s definitely not the case and I’m not very good at it anyway.
What’s the best bit of career-related advice you’ve ever been given? Who gave it to you?
Be honest and accountable. That advice came from my first head of sales in finance, and it’s something I’ve stuck by throughout my career. In this industry, trust is everything. Brokers need to know that when you say you’ll do something, you’ll follow through. Being upfront, even when the answer isn’t what someone wants to hear, goes a long way in building long-term relationships.
What has been the biggest lesson you’ve learned in your career?
That strong relationships are built over time through trust and reliability. I still work with brokers today who I first connected with over 13 years ago, when I started out in finance. Those long-term relationships are invaluable. They’re built on consistency, delivering on what you promise and being there when it matters. It’s not about one transaction, it’s about an ongoing partnership.
How do you keep up to date with developments in the market?
I subscribe to the industry press and receive daily updates, which help me stay on top of market trends, rate movements and regulatory changes. Equally important is staying close to brokers. They’re on the front line, speaking to landlords and clients every day, so they often have real-time insight into what’s happening in the market. Combining those two sources gives you a well-rounded view.
What is the most quirky or unique property deal you’ve been involved in?
Recently, I came across a case involving a house in multiple occupation (HMO) where each room had its own kitchen within it. It was definitely something a bit different, but by utilising Landbay’s flexible HMO products, we were able to support the deal. It’s a good example of how specialist lending can require a more tailored approach, and why flexibility in criteria is so important.
Tell us about your trickiest case. What happened and how did you resolve it?
In specialist lending, most cases have some level of complexity, so you quickly learn that challenges are part of the process. The key is to gather all the facts as early as possible, stay open-minded and be flexible in your thinking. By working closely with the broker and keeping communication clear, you can usually find a way forward. It’s rarely about one single solution, but more about working through the issues step by step and keeping the momentum going.
What was your motivation for choosing this career?
I’ve always had an interest in finance and property, and the role of a regional account manager felt like a natural fit for my personality and skill set. I wanted a career where I could make an impact, support brokers and help deliver real outcomes for customers. Bringing together relationship-building, problem-solving and commercial thinking makes it a very rewarding space to work in.
If you could do any other job in the property sector, what would it be and why?
I’d love to be a developer or project manager, working on my own builds. There’s something very appealing about taking a project from start to finish and seeing the end result come to life.
What did you want to be growing up?
A footballer or a police officer. Like a lot of people, my career path ended up taking a different direction, but I wouldn’t change it.
Where do you see yourself in five years, or how do you think your job will change?
I’d love to still be with Landbay, continuing to grow both personally and professionally. I think technology and artificial intelligence (AI) will play an increasing role in the industry, helping to streamline processes and improve efficiency. However, I don’t think the importance of people will diminish. Relationships and human interaction will still be a key part of the role, just supported more by technology.
If you could have one superpower, what would it be?
Teleportation. Being able to get anywhere instantly would make life a lot easier, especially when covering a large region.
What do you do to unwind?
I’m a big football fan and also coach grassroots football for my son, which keeps me busy – although it’s not always the most relaxing. We also have a campervan, which we love to get away in whenever we can. It’s a great way to switch off and spend time with family.
What is your greatest skill, work-related or otherwise?
Problem-solving. I try not to get flustered when issues arise and instead focus on finding a way forward. That mindset is really important in this role, as there will always be challenges. Staying calm and solution-focused helps keep things moving in the right direction.
And finally, what’s the strangest question you’ve ever been asked?
“Would you like coconut milk in your tea?” In a broker meeting, where he had used up all the other milk. Not for me, thank you.
