‘Our job is to back strong projects and good people’

By Tony Sanchez 21st October 2025

In our latest Five Minute Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Nathan Wilson, Lending Manager at Inspired Lending.

Inspired Lending provides bridging and refurbishment finance from £250,000 to £5 million across England, Wales and Scotland.

With a focus on speed, clarity and flexibility, brokers work directly with decision makers to secure credit backed terms quickly.

The lender specialises in bridging, refurbishment and developer exit loans, supporting complex and time sensitive cases with practical, real world lending.

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

It’s the pace and variety. No two days are ever the same, and that’s what keeps it interesting. One day you’re helping a developer get a stalled site back on track, the next you’re structuring a facility for a complex refurbishment. You have to think fast, stay flexible and find a solution that works for everyone.

We’ve seen some great examples recently, from an £800,000 finish and exit facility in Devon that brought a housing scheme back to life, to a £935,000 second charge deal in Buckinghamshire that helped complete a luxury new build.

We also funded our first deal in Scotland, which was a big milestone for us. Every case tells its own story, and that’s what I enjoy most.

What keeps you focused?

It’s the satisfaction of getting a deal done, especially when it’s one that other lenders might have turned away. There’s nothing better than seeing a project come together because you found a way through the challenges.

Working with a driven, like-minded team makes a huge difference too. At Inspired, we all share the same goal of doing right by brokers and their clients. That energy keeps you focused, even on the tougher days.

What qualities do you look for in your colleagues?

Energy, curiosity and a proper focus on the customer. We’re a small team, so collaboration is everything. You need people who genuinely care about outcomes, who want to find solutions and who don’t give up easily.

That attitude came through recently when we completed a £380,000 capital raise in Bedfordshire. The client had just two weeks to complete a buyout, and it took every bit of teamwork and quick thinking to make it happen. That’s when you see what people are made of.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Definitely an optimist. My whole job revolves around finding positive outcomes. Even when the market is unpredictable, there’s always an opportunity if you’re willing to look for it.

The rise in complex refurbishment and conversion projects is a really good example. Developers are still active; they’re just being more considered. A good lender adapts to that and provides support that makes sense in the current climate.

What did you want to be as a child?

A footballer, of course. Like most kids, I thought I’d be running out at White Hart Lane one day, but I realised pretty quickly that wasn’t going to happen.

What do you think will be the greatest challenge facing the market in the months ahead?

Confidence. Developers and investors have had a tough run with interest rate changes, planning delays and rising costs. The mood feels more stable now, but lenders need to keep showing consistency and flexibility.

Our job is to back strong projects and good people, even when the numbers look a bit tighter than before. If you can understand the real story behind a deal and adapt to it, there’s still plenty of business to be done.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Micky Flanagan. His timing and storytelling are spot on.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Not at all. The great thing about working at Inspired is that you can see the impact of what you do straight away. You’re involved from start to finish, and that makes it easy to stay motivated.