The Five Minute Interview with Alex Tyrwhitt, Head of Development Lending, Octane Capital

By Tony Sanchez 5th September 2017

Launched in May 2017, Octane Capital arrived backed by years of experience.

Jonathan Samuels (CEO) began Dragonfly in 2009. Mark Posniak (MD), Matt Smith (Director of Credit and Risk) and Robert Graham (Head of Finance) were all part of the same senior team. Together, they lent more than £2bn on over four thousand loans.

Rather than be constrained by a restrictive price to LTV matrix, Octane Capital recognises that LTV is only one dimension. Every loan is different… so Octane does not have a price matrix. They look at all aspects to deliver the best solution for you and your client.

We speak to Head of Development Lending, Alex Tyrwhitt:

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

In bridging, it’s all about the dynamism and speed of delivery. At Octane, the same rings true of development finance, with the added bonus that you’re helping to change the built environment for the better.

What keeps you focused?

A constant desire to learn and improve myself.

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

Enthusiasm, diligence and integrity.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Optimist.

What did you want to be as a child?

Might seem a bit strange this, but a Florida fishing guide.

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

Should negative sentiment lead to further decline in transactional volumes the challenge for the industry will be maintaining strong underwriting principles (backing the right borrowers in the right markets).