‘I tend to find the funny side to everything and everyone’

By

Stephen Burns Adapt

In our latest Five Minute Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Stephen Burns at Adapt.

Adapt is a small, family firm of brokers, well known in the specialist lending sector. Formed in 2014, the multi award winning team have now arranged over £600m in facilities for clients.

What is the best thing about being in the bridging and development finance business?

The constant milestones – from meeting the client, making the numbers work, achieving lender support, val result, completion, watching the project progress, redemption and of course the next deal.

Multiply that by a few cases and every day is full of achievements!

What keeps you focused?

The conscious fear of failing to secure a client a property or missing a completion deadline.

What qualities do you look for in your employees or colleagues?

I’m horrid to work with, or amazing, depending on if you’re doing your job. Do it well and you’ll always see the happy me. I don’t do sloppy.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I’ve never worked out that glass half full/empty thing, or any of the many motivational quotes, but I’m a worrier, so guess I am a pessimist.

What did you want to be as a child?

I wanted to join the army. I joined the army.

What will be the greatest challenge facing the bridging and development finance industry in the coming months?

Maintaining the high LTV’s and low rates. No one is sure if it is something lenders are expecting to be permanent or not, but the property market will probably decide what products are available in the coming few years post pandemic.

Who or what makes you laugh?

I tend to find the funny side to everything and everyone.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Everyone says no to this question, but my weekends are special, so as much as I LOVE my work, I could spend more days doing things with my family.

So, not dread, but could always give them a miss!

If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

I’m quite grumpy.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

My mum, RIP. We’d have fishfinger butties followed by a Turkish Delight.