Octopus Real Estate strengthens Manchester office with promotions and new hire

By Bridging Loan Directory 3rd September 2020

Octopus Real Estate, part of Octopus Group and a leading UK specialist real estate lender and investor, has strengthened its Manchester office by announcing two promotions and a new hire.

The team in Manchester goes from strength to strength as it continues to grow its loan book and broker network in the North.

Steve Bowes, who joined Octopus Real Estate as an internal business development manager in 2019, has been promoted to the position of external business development manager.

In his role, Steve will be responsible for further developing relationships with brokers in the North of the country, as well as helping to write new business as Octopus Real Estate continues to build its presence in the North, following the opening of its Manchester office last year.

Suparn Sapatnekar has been promoted to the role of senior credit manager. Suparn joined Octopus Real Estate in 2014 and relocated from London to support the opening of the Manchester Office last year.

Having a senior credit manager in the team will mean greater autonomy for the office to make complex lending decisions with an expert based within the region.

It also assists with the progression and development of junior credit manager, Chris Danks, who was also promoted from case manager to a credit position earlier this year.

The success of the Manchester office has also spurred the team to expand, with the appointment of another internal business development manager, Kayley Stelfox.

Kayley will be responsible for liaising with prospective clients, brokers and underwriters on all aspects of the application process, bringing local knowledge of the market to the role.

She joins the team from Ultimate Finance where she gained more than six years’ experience in specialist bridging finance.

Chris Timms, pictured, Head of Sales for the North, Octopus Real Estate, commented:

“Almost a year on from opening our Manchester office, we’re thrilled to be able to promote three members of the team, as well as bring Kayley on board, as we look to continue to establish ourselves in the North.

The team has great enthusiasm and strong knowledge of the local market, with Steve, Suparn and Chris typifying both of these qualities.

Welcoming Kayley to the team with her experience in the region compliments the team’s strong knowledge of the market. As our loan book grows, we only expect the team’s headcount to increase.”