‘One day I decided my life wasn’t where I wanted it to be’

In our latest Five Minute Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Alec Witts, Specialist Mortgage and Protection Advisor at Ramsay & White.

After deciding to take control of his future, Alec invested in himself and began studying property investment strategies, marking the start of his journey into the property world in 2017.

Since then, he has built a diverse portfolio that includes buy-to-lets, HMOs, social housing, and a commercial unit.

Along the way, Alec discovered a passion for the finance side of property and pursued it wholeheartedly, becoming a Specialist Advisor.

He now works with Ramsay & White, a firm dedicated to providing finance solutions for property investors.

In his role, he supports clients by analysing deals, sourcing the right finance to match their strategy, and building long-term relationships, becoming a trusted member of each client’s power team.

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

I’m a relationships person and enjoy helping people. I see this as a people business more than a finance business, so I see my role as being a trusted and vital member of my clients team helping them build their future.

I get real satisfaction from going through thick and thin with clients, achieving their outcomes and seeing them grow as people, investors and changing their lives for the better.

What keeps you focused?

I’m very self-motivated and always set goals to make sure I’m doing the daily grind for the right reasons.

I find focusing on helping the person and not on the transaction more rewarding and seeing the perspective that everyone’s mortgage/deal is the biggest thing in their life at that moment in time regardless of whether it’s a £50k loan or £5 million.

I also find rest and taking some time enjoy life is just as important as the grind. An 80/20 split works well for me to stay focused without burning out.

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

Drive and positivity! Theres nothing worse than being around people who lack desire to improve and moan, complain and who find a problem to every solution!

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

At bit of both. I always like to consider/explore risk but generally believe you make things happen in life which starts with optimism and belief.

What did you want to be as a child?

A businessman in a grey suit driving a BMW! Now I’m an adult, I realise a blue suit is nicer and so too is a Porsche 😊

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

This government…

Who or what makes you laugh?

I’m a fan of Jimmy Carr and Ricky Gervais as they like to go against the grain/push boundaries. I also really like one liners (Dad jokes) like Tim Vine and Gary Delaney.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

No, I enjoy what I do and see Monday as fresh opportunity to get ahead.

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

Nothing. No point wasting energy on what you can’t control or change.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

My partner Charlie mainly as it’s one of our favourite things to do 😊 but Ant Middleton would be interesting to chat to over a 12-course Michelin taster menu!

FOLLOW ON GOOGLE NEWS