The Five Minute Interview with Tim Bennett, Head of Sales, Vantage Finance

By Tony Sanchez 19th December 2014

Vantage Finance is one of the UK’s leading specialist packagers. Established in 2004, its expert team offers secured loans, buy-to-let mortgages, commercial finance, short term loans (bridging loans) and development finance for intermediaries.

We speak to Head of Sales, Tim Bennett:

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

The people are definitely the best thing. My time in the industry has enabled me to meet some great characters and I really enjoy the interaction with different people every day.

It’s even better when you get to share in each other’s successes.

What keeps you focussed?

Having a goal to achieve, as well as a plan of how I’m going to get there.

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

The key qualities I look for in people are honesty, respect, determination and a sense of humour.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

According to an optimism test I did recently, I am 83 percent optimist and 17 percent pessimist. Being the optimist I’d say that was a pretty good result, but the pessimist in me feels I should have done better.

What did you want to be as a child?

A lawyer, a footballer and a fireman.

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

This is a really interesting question. I think the greatest challenge will centre around MMR and regulation, and the ripple effect they’ll have on the rest of the markets.

There is a big emphasis and responsibility on firms at the moment to have industry-qualified staff in place.

There is a big cost and time commitment involved for both firms and their employees to reach these minimum standards, but it’s an initiative I feel will certainly be of benefit to our customers.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Arsenal fans – they crack me up!

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Only 17 percent of me does.

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

To be compared more to George Clooney because of the silver hair, and less to Philip Schofield, because of the silver hair…

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

Sir Alex Ferguson and Micky Flanagan – good wine, good conversation and good banter guaranteed.