Which locations and how many advisers and broker firms do you cover in your role at StreamBank?
My primary focus is on London and the South East, but I also collaborate with my colleagues to support the Midlands and Wales. We don’t have a set number of accounts to manage.
For me, it’s about identifying the brokers in my area who are operating in our space and putting genuine effort into nurturing long-term relationships. It’s important not to stretch yourself too thin. That said, if any brokers want to find out more about StreamBank and how we can support them, particularly with bridging solutions that cut through delays, feel free to reach out to me or anyone on the team.
We understand that every deal has a story, whether it’s a chain break, a time-critical tax deadline or simply helping someone secure their dream home before selling their current one. Our approach to regulated bridging reflects that. We work closely with brokers, apply real-world thinking and ensure clients get clear, timely decisions from people who genuinely understand the nuances of short-term finance. In today’s climate, that kind of partnership makes all the difference.
What personal talent/skill is most valuable in doing your job?
We all know this is a relationship-driven business, so interpersonal skills are essential. But I’ve always believed that real success comes from knowing your stuff, being honest (a quick “no” is just as valuable as a “yes”), and being consistently present.
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Show up, take the calls, respond to the emails. Those simple actions build trust. And once a broker trusts you with their clients, that’s where the real value begins.
What personal talent or skill would you most like to improve on?
Definitely staying organised. I’d love to be one of those colour-coded-calendar people, but the reality is more organised chaos. Planning too far ahead gives me the fear… maybe it’s time to recruit a PA.
What is the hardest part of your job?
This job is what you make it. If you’re not focused or proactive, it can feel isolating. For me, the hardest part is carving out the time to proactively book in meetings. Between handling live enquiries, keeping deals moving and managing a busy pipeline, diary planning sometimes gets pushed down the list.
What do you love most about your job?
Aside from the occasional round of golf, what I love most is the people. I get to work with individuals from so many different backgrounds. No two days are the same. Every conversation teaches me something, whether about the market, the deal, or just life in general.
As a BDM, I also really value innovation and the ability to bring more nuanced products to market. Our proposition is built around being responsive and solution-focused, and StreamLine is a perfect example of that. It’s tailored for clean-credit cases up to £1.5m, with valuation options designed to speed things up, including automatic valuation models (AVMs) for properties up to £1m and desktop valuations up to £2m.
We’ve cut down on admin, introduced straight-through processing where we can, and made it easier for brokers to move quickly when time really matters.
What’s the best piece of career-related advice you’ve ever been given? Who gave it to you?
Tough one. I’ve been lucky to work with some brilliant people in this industry and have always taken something from those around me. But one bit of advice that’s stuck with me came from my grandad when I was a kid. I’d got myself into trouble, as usual, and he said: “A mistake is the best lesson life can give you. Just make sure you learn from it and don’t make the same mistake twice.” That’s stayed with me ever since.
How do you keep up to date with developments in the market?
I stay across sector news through trade media and LinkedIn, but the most valuable insights come from conversations. Whether that’s with brokers, solicitors or lenders, just asking people what they’re seeing and how they’re interpreting things can give you a real feel for what’s going on.
What is the most quirky or unique property deal you’ve been involved in?
In a previous role, I worked with an American client who owned two properties in Eaton Square, Belgravia. The deal itself was a capital raise to refurbish one property and purchase another in Rome. Pretty standard.
But it turned into one of those ‘pinch me’ moments. She flew in from New York and asked me to meet her in Eaton Square to complete the paperwork and ID checks. So there I was, sitting in this stunning townhouse, sipping tea with a New York socialite and trying not to spill anything. A surreal moment that reminded me how varied this job can be.
What was your motivation for choosing this career?
Honestly, it wasn’t planned. After school, I didn’t have a set path. Then I became a father, and that shifted everything. Providing for my daughters became the priority.
I tried different industries, from retail to insurance, until I got a break in property finance in 2015. It just clicked. I’ve always enjoyed working with people and understanding deals, so becoming a BDM felt like a natural next step. My motivation has always been the same – to do right by my family and the people I work with.
If you could do any other job in the property sector, what would it be and why?
I’ve been lucky to experience a few roles – underwriting, internal BDM, now external BDM. Looking ahead, I’d like to return to mentoring and leadership.
There’s something incredibly rewarding about helping someone grow in their career. I’ve got former team members out there now, thriving in big banks and lenders, and knowing I played a part in that is one of the best feelings in this job.
