‘I’m hugely optimistic about bridging in general and the business I work for’

By Tony Sanchez 28th April 2022

In our latest Five Minute Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Jim Nash, National Sales Manager at Tuscan Capital.

Tuscan Capital provides non-regulated short-term bridging finance to the residential, mixed-use, and commercial real estate sectors across England and Wales.

Whilst headquartered in London, they have a strong regional presence with offices in Birmingham and Manchester.

Tuscan Capital launched to market in 2018 and offer funding on both a conventional and non-conventional lending basis.

Their approach to doing business is simple: our transparent lending philosophy and profound understanding of introducers and borrowers serve one overriding purpose- repeat custom.

Led by CEO and co-founder Colin Sanders, their team comprises of industry-wide known property lending experts with a vast breadth of experience.

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

Bridging allows for creative and pragmatic thinking. I worked for many years in high-street lending and felt constrained by its inflexible and rigidly set parameters.

When it comes to development finance; if the sector was to rely solely on the support of mainstream lenders to build the homes that are needed; we’d all be old, decrepit, and grey before the targets were anywhere close to being achieved (sadly, I have a head start in this respect!)

What keeps you focused?

The fact that I have a mortgage, along with golfing fees and holidays to pay for – not to mention the six kids (4 Grandchildren and two more on the way) continually holding out their hands for cash!

Working hard and earning a living is not an optional extra in my life.

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

I appreciate loyalty and a wicked sense of humour. There’s little worse than a drab workplace to drag down productivity.

Combine a smile with hard work, punctuality, common sense, a positive attitude, and going the extra mile, and all the personal ingredients are in place for success

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I’m a realistic optimist with a touch of pessimism.

I cannot help but be a little pessimistic about certain aspects of the world where our kids are growing up today.

But I’m hugely optimistic about bridging in general and the business I work for.

I also think we live in a great country and have much to be grateful for.

What did you want to be as a child?

A carpenter. My mum still has two tables I constructed whilst at secondary school.

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

Some of the biggest challenges for our brokers and customers recently has been getting valuation reports turned around in a timely manner.

With many valuers struggling to get PI cover and or some firms withdrawing from the bridging market altogether this means the valuers pool is under a lot of pressure.

I know we are working on some tactical changes to help this, but this market wide issue is causing real frustration and increased timelines for all concerned!

Who or what makes you laugh?

I have a terrible sense of humour (depending on how you look at it!) All types of bad Dad jokes make me laugh: “Who is the loneliest Billionaire in the World?” “Alone Musk” 😉

Do you dread Monday mornings?

I love my job, but why after a weekend invariably involving Guinness, football, golf, family, and yet more Guinness would I look forward to Monday morning?

On a more serious note, Monday mornings are the time to ensure the diary is organised for the week and certain jobs are prioritised, (especially the last minute.com calls taken the previous Friday evening).

Occasionally I work with a network which involves a “kick off the week call “on a Monday morning, which invariably starts at 9.30am when the brain has just about started working.

PS: Did I say I love my job (in case the CEO reads this 😉