The Five Minute Interview with Damien Druce, Director and Head of Intermediary Sales, Assetz Capital

Assetz are a leading UK based peer-to-peer business lender. Working with financial intermediaries, they have lent over £370m to UK businesses for SME term loans, commercial mortgages, renewable energy, development finance, bridging and buy-to-let.

We speak to Director and Head of Intermediary Sales, Damien Druce:

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

I love the fact that it provides individuals with the capital to make things happen. And most importantly, it helps to make their aims and aspirations come true.

What keeps you focused?

The easy response here would be to talk about the numerous competitors that keep you on your toes, but I like to keep telling myself that perfection is possible and striving for it is what keeps me focused.

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

A good solid work ethic, along with a desire to continually learn are the two qualities I would always look for.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I’m 100 per cent an optimist. My glass is definitely half full, unless there’s a good Rioja in it!

What did you want to be as a child?

I wanted to play professional football or be a politician. The outcome being that I played football to a reasonably good standard and was elected as a Borough Councillor, so you could say I came pretty close!

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

It goes without saying that Brexit negotiations will cause uncertainty. Aside from that, the main challenge will be product innovation.

With so many lenders operating in this space, you need to separate yourself from the competition and the best way to stand out is by having the most innovative range of products.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Comedians don’t really interest me, although I don’t think you can beat the comedy sitcoms from the 80s.

Other than that, my kids make me laugh, in particular my eight-year-old daughter Ruby, who’s going on 18.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Mondays are great! We get to go again and help more people achieve their goals.

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

It would have to be my height. My little legs have had to work harder than most over the years!

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

It would have been Steve Jobs. He’s a true inspiration and has revolutionised modern communication through innovation and high standards.

Next in line would be James Dyson.  He continues to charter new territory and I can’t wait to see what the Dyson Car looks like…

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