‘The bridging industry is full of charismatic, funny, highly skilled, and intelligent individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds’

By Tony Sanchez 30th May 2023

In our latest Five Minute Interview, Tony Sanchez speaks to Vik Patel, consultant at FinSpace Group.

FinSpace Group is a fintech-driven specialist finance brokerage based in Central London, providing fast and flexible loans to property developers and investors.

Partnering with key lenders, they’re able to efficiently source financing for projects, which require swift solutions that will also maximize returns.

FinSpace assist and consult on a broad range of asset classes and transactions, with a deep understanding and reactiveness to the ever-changing property market.

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

Most certainly the people. The bridging industry is full of charismatic, funny, highly skilled, and intelligent individuals from diverse cultures and backgrounds. As with our cases, there is not one the same.

Recollecting the stories after a networking event never seizes to amaze me.

I am blessed to be working with and alongside so many amazing people.

What keeps you focused?

Competition and Execution!

If you aren’t on top of your game, there will be someone that is. Always someone lurking in your shadows. Deliver and you’ll win.

The call you make to let your client know that they can now purchase their dream home, or commercial premises, expand their business, help them on their next dev/refurb project etc…..

Seeing the smile on their faces and hearing the joy in their voices makes me even more hungry for new business.

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

Trust and some who have a zest for life, positive and good banter levels.

I read on the internet that we spend more time at work & with work colleagues than with our loved ones.

So, the above are essential for a happy workplace. Of course, everything on the internet is true and Watford will sign Haaland next month.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Tough one but I’d say a realist. I think it’s extremely important in the bridging sector that we adopt a “there is always a solution” mentality while at the same time managing the client’s expectations. Fine balance.

What did you want to be as a child?

As many of you may know I’m sport mad. Football, boxing, cricket etc.

Unfortunately, being a skinny 5ft 3 kid limited my playing abilities, also taking into consideration that I’m Indian, I had a choice of finance, lawyer, or doctor. More chance of me winning the lottery.

So, my childhood dreams then switched to sports journalism. Watching live sports, writing about it, and getting paid. Sign me up!!!

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

Exit’s. With the base rate increases, more stringent affordability / rental assessments, and LTV reductions it’s more vital than ever that a broker does his homework to find the client a solid exit before entering a bridging facility.

Who or what makes you laugh?

My shockingly bad one-line jokes and banter (some may call it clownish behaviour).

After the episode is over, I do usually sit down and upon reflection think why I have done/just said that – followed by a little chuckle.

I’m sure I’m not the only one guilty of this.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Depends on what I’ve had to drink and Watford FC’s performance over the weekend.

From a professional POV and without being disrespectful, if you do dread Monday mornings it’s probably best to find a new job. Mental health is extremely important.

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

Everything – according to my wife.

Who would you most like to have dinner with?

Sachin Tendulkar – the leading run scorer and the greatest cricket ever.

Be interesting to find out how he stayed mentality so strong, consistently broke records and performed at the highest level over 23 years with a whole nation (India’s billion people’s) pressure on his shoulders whilst remaining so humble in the process.

What a guy!!