The Five Minute Interview with Lucy Atkinson, Underwriter, Bath and West Finance

By Tony Sanchez 20th May 2016

Bath and West Finance provides bridging and development finance as principle lenders to intermediaries in the south-west.

The management team have considerable experience in short term lending and provide certainty of decisions, competitive rates and procuration fees.

We speak to underwriter, Lucy Atkinson:

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

Having the freedom to negotiate the best possible terms for my client and being able to see the amazing development ideas people come up with and helping them to achieve their goals.

What keeps you focused?

Wanting to provide a good service and striving to perform well.

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

A good sense of humour and compatibility – you spend a lot of time with your colleagues and being able to work well and have some fun along the way is essential.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I am a happy person in general, so optimist it is.

What did you want to be as a child?

As a teenager I wanted to be a Legal Executive but as a child it was a Baker like my Dad.

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

There is no simple answer to the question of how Brexit might affect housing, mortgage and overall lending markets. But it is certainly going to be on everyone’s radar and I for one will be paying close attention to it.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Lee Evans & Russell Howard – I find them very entertaining and have seen both live on several occasions – them being local lads to me is an added bonus.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

In a past life maybe but now, absolutely not. Bridging and short term lending is very fluid so you always find something different to look forward to.

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

Having a love for Cheese.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

A table full of monkeys – chaotic but would be hilarious.