‘No one person is perfect, we all have areas of ourselves that we could improve’

By Tony Sanchez 25th April 2022

In our latest Five Minute Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Harry Dugg, Business Development Manager at TAB.

TAB was founded in early 2018 when they realised that some of the most exciting property projects didn’t fit well within the constraints of traditional lenders’ more rigid and often computer-generated funding criteria.

TAB have designed their lending model to have the flexibility to consider the wider spectrum of a borrower’s circumstances.

Through varied funding sources from institutions to individuals they can finance a diverse range of projects

The decades of property market knowledge, in-house legal team, quality underwriters and high-level salespeople who make up the TAB team reinforce their expertise and experience within the industry.

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

The best thing about working in the bridging lending industry is the variety.

I’ve been in finance for over 15 years, and the bridging industry for seven and no one day has been the same.

In my role I get the opportunity to meet different people and travel to London or various parts of the UK.

I also enjoy the variety of different types of projects I get to work on.

From residential and commercial bridging loans to development finance, the different types of deals I’m able to structure and speak to brokers and borrowers about makes my job hugely exciting.

What keeps you focused?

I’m focused by the the challenges I face everyday. From meeting my goals as an individual and the goals that are set for the wider team to constantly multitasking, progressing projects and talking to different people every day.

I have several cases to manage at a time, if I’m not focussed then I might lose a case. I love the buzz this creates which keeps me motivated everyday.

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

From my colleagues I like to see a motivation to strive. At TAB as a whole, the structure is set up to provide support to all staff members on both a professional and personal level, this gives everyone the platform to give 110% of their best self everyday.

TAB’s internal training sessions are provided by different departments each time. These are useful for the team to have a transparent view of the whole business and allows us to better understand the role of each individual.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

100% I’d say I am very optimistic. I believe everyday provides new opportunities to show your qualities and gets you closer to your target.

What did you want to be as a child?

Like many others, I grew up dreaming of being a footballer for Manchester United.

Unfortunately, I realised early on that my ability wasn’t at the standard of Eric Cantona.

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

I believe in the coming months the greatest challenge the bridging finance industry will face is how competitive the market is becoming.

The sheer volume of lenders from one man organisations to large companies has grown so much, however I do believe there’s enough business out there for everyone.

The sheer variety of products TAB has to offer means that we too can be competitive.

Who or what makes you laugh?

My wife. Having a partner who is also in the finance industry is hugely supportive as she understands many of the situations we go through.

As well as making me laugh she is someone who I can confide in when I might be stressed on all matters.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

It may not be a popular choice but I love Monday mornings! For me there’s never enough working days in the week.

Monday morning presents me the chance to organise myself to help me get closer to my goals and targets.

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

No one person is perfect, we all have areas of ourselves that we could improve.

If I could change a little bit of everything about myself it would help me get closer to being a better person.

Who would you most like to have dinner with?

I would love to have the opportunity to have dinner with Sir Alex Ferguson and Nelson Mandela. Both are great achievers in their own rights and I could learn a lot from great minds like theirs!