The Five Minute Interview with Chris Fairfax, Managing Director, Positive Lending

By

Chris Fairfax Catalyst Property Finance

Positive Lending is an award winning packager of specialist property finance including secured loans, bridging, commercial, development and BTL finance.

Positive Lending offer enhanced products and commission, delivered by industry experts. We speak to managing director, Chris Fairfax:

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

The variety of cases we see. No two cases are ever the same and each one requires a bespoke solution. Often the cases we see as a packager are complicated and particularly challenging.

What keeps you focused?

Ensuring Positive Lending continues to add real value to intermediaries. We believe our proposition is very compelling – the core being enhanced products and enhanced commission.

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

I look for different qualities in different people depending on the role. In our business development team I look for people that are friendly, professional, experienced and tenacious.

In admin and underwriting I look for people with attention to detail and a capacity to store information.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Realist

What did you want to be as a child?

Doctor

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

The greatest challenge for us as a packager is growing new originations. We have really exciting marketing plans for 2012.

If approved, the European Commission’s mortgage credit directive regarding affordability assessment will be detrimental. The proposal shows a fundamental lack of understanding.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Larry David – Curb your Enthusiasm

Do you dread Monday mornings?

No – I look forward to work.

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

To be a more patient person

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

I’m fascinated by World War 2 history so probably Sir Winston Churchill.