The Five Minute Interview with Francesca Woodhouse, BDM, Octane Capital

By Tony Sanchez 28th February 2018

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 Business Development Manager, Francesca Woodhouse:

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

I enjoy the fast-paced environment and the fact that no two deals are the same.

Instead, each deal requires you to think outside the box and shape a bespoke solution for that specific funding requirement.

Octane have no set products or rates, which really sets us apart — we’d rather look at all aspects of a deal to deliver the best solution for brokers and borrowers alike.

What keeps you focused?

As a BDM, targets of course keep me focused (and smashing them). I am also determined to grow the Octane brand within the industry, which will not be too difficult considering how highly regarded the team are.

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

That the entire team is like minded in respect of commitment and the success of the business.

The guys at Octane Capital have a wealth of knowledge across the business and always offer their expertise to get deals across the line.

Also having a good sense of humour and being able to have a bit of office banter is a plus, as it can be quite challenging some days.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

A realistic optimist.

What did you want to be as a child?

The karate kid. It inspired me to take up Wado Ryu at a young age and eventually train in the England squad.

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

It’s no surprise that the biggest challenge facing the bridging and development finance industry is Brexit and a potential decline in property values as we work through exiting the EU.

In addition to this, I would say too many lenders not pricing for risk.

Who or what makes you laugh?

My mother makes me laugh more than anyone else (wicked sense of humour) — and typically when we are laughing, no one else is!

Do you dread Monday mornings?

I don’t dread Monday mornings because I genuinely love my job. It’s a good feeling to come in and look at my diary, feeling pumped for the week ahead.

Working with such a fun and social team helps, if you do have the occasional Monday morning blues.

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

To be better at sleeping.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

William Shakespeare. He is considered to be the greatest playwright of all time, while many facts about his life remain shrouded in mystery, I would like to uncover this.