‘Clarity, action and humour, everything else you can teach’

By

Simon Ettori Fiduciam

In our latest Five Minute Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Simon Ettori, Business Developer Manager at Fiduciam.

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

The volume and quality of deal flow. It’s a particularly exciting moment for alternative lenders, especially in the German market.

With traditional banks pulling back or acting unpredictably, we see a massive opportunity to deploy capital into high-quality projects with experienced borrowers.

It’s a rare chance to build a strong, diversified loan book in a market that’s ripe for agile and disciplined lenders.

What keeps you focused?

In general, it’s the basics: gym, sleep, and proper nutrition.

At work, it’s a good headset, the right playlist, and plenty of coffee.

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

Clarity of thought, a bias for action, and humour. You can train for skills, but mindset and attitude are much harder to teach.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I’m part German, so I do what I can with that!

But truthfully, I’m a realistic optimist; I assume things will work out, just not without a few bumps, delays, and unexpected turns along the way.

What did you want to be as a child?

One of my earliest memories is wanting to be a chef. How things change over time… though I suppose structuring deals has its own kind of recipe.

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

While macroeconomic uncertainties persist, especially in the German market, we currently face a unique window of opportunity.

The biggest challenge will be to deliver consistently on our promises, to close enough quality deals without compromising discipline.

It’s about striking the right balance, pushing the boundaries to capitalise on the market, but not pushing so far that risk management suffers.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Dry humour, clever writing, and the occasional property valuation that defies physics.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Not at all. What I do “dread” are the 3:30 a.m. wakeups to catch a 6 a.m. flight out of Heathrow, but even then, I’m usually looking forward to what the week holds.

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

Nothing that can’t be changed, and everything else just takes time.

I believe most things are a work in progress if you’re willing to put in the effort.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

My loved ones!

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