‘Customer satisfaction is at the heart of how we work at FinSpace Group’

In our latest Five Minute Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Damien Silver, Second-Charge Mortgage Consultant at FinSpace Group.

FinSpace Group is a fintech-driven specialist finance brokerage based in Central London, providing fast and flexible loans to property developers and investors.

Partnering with key lenders, they’re able to efficiently source financing for projects, which require swift solutions that will also maximize returns.

FinSpace assist and consult on a broad range of asset classes and transactions, with a deep understanding and reactiveness to the ever-changing property market.

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

No two days are the same, we speak to people from different walks of life.

I could pick up the phone with a property landlord looking to raise a second charge against a portfolio of BTLs or someone who needs to consolidate debt at a high loan-to-value.

I love the challenge of helping every customer because, with the lenders we work with, we can cater for most circumstances.

I enjoy using my industry knowledge to find perfect solutions for our customers.

Customer satisfaction is at the heart of how we work at FinSpace Group.

What keeps you focused?

I have always been someone who strives for high standards, I am not an individual who can sit around twiddling my thumbs.

I like to leave work for the day knowing I have had a productive day, that is my motivation.

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

We work in a complicated and forever changing industry so every day we learn something new and constantly adapt to change.

For me personally, the biggest quality in a person is the willingness to take on new information and be adaptable to change.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I think If I am honest, I am somewhere between the two but only because I always demand more of myself.

I am not one to rest on my laurels, so even if I have done something well, I always think there is something I probably could have done better.

I am more of an optimist but also my own harshest critic.

What did you want to be as a child?

A Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle because when the evil Shredder attacks, those turtle boys don’t cut him any slack.

TURTLE POWER!!

What will be the greatest challenge facing the second charge sector in the coming months?

I don’t know if this is specific to the second charge market but right now, we live in a society where people must choose to buy a tank of petrol or put the heating on.

Now as we approach winter, I think this will sadly push people closer to the poverty line as the cost-of-living crisis isn’t fading away.

So, for me, the biggest challenge is education, for people to know that there is always help there.

Whether it be a second charge to consolidate debt into one reduced more affordable outgoing, or help through charity organisations like Step Change, I think people need to feel empowered not ashamed to seek help and advice.

It’s important to be professional and non-judgemental throughout the process.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Hmmm depends on how much I have had to drink, but not clowns, I saw Stephen King’s I.T. when I was about 7 years old.

I remember sneaking downstairs one night when everyone was asleep and haven’t been able to laugh at a clown ever since and have never once set foot in a circus.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Genuinely no, I think when you enjoy your job and work with good people work is never a chore.

Before Covid, I was working for a company that didn’t value staff as much and didn’t show much gratitude towards effort and hard work.

Then when Covid hit I was furloughed and genuinely it was one of the most stress-free times in my life because I realised, I hated my job and my career wasn’t going anywhere, so I left and pursued a CeMAP qualification and haven’t looked back since.

I can honestly say I have never had as bad a day since. We all have bad days, but it’s important to remember it can always be a lot worse.

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

Aside from turning my childhood self into a “Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle”, I would like to be less socially awkward than I am.

It does take a while for me to come out of my shell (pun intended).

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

If I was to host a dinner party, then Gordon Ramsey for sure but he would have to keep the noise down and stay in the kitchen.

Margot Robbie because although she doesn’t know this yet, we are soul mates and would fall madly in love.

Ian Wright because he was one of my idols when I was a kid and he’s happily married now so he wouldn’t try and hit on Margot when I wasn’t looking and lastly Sir Ian McKellen because I am a massive fan of his work and his career and from what I hear he is just an all-round good bloke.

And who wouldn’t want to have dinner with Gandalf the Grey?

FOLLOW ON GOOGLE NEWS