The Five Minute Interview with Chris Parr, National Sales Manager, Tuscan Capital

By Tony Sanchez 17th July 2018

Tuscan Capital provides non-regulated short-term bridging finance to the residential and semi-commercial real estate sector in England and Wales.

Launched-to-market in 2018, the lender offers funding on both a conventional and non-conventional lending basis in sums from £150k upwards.

We speak to national sales manager, Chris Parr:

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

No two deals are exactly the same and each deal has its own key element which you have to understand and around which the deal must be structured. This is when you know it is a true bridging deal.

What keeps you focused?

Wanting to deliver a good service and the right outcome to my brokers. Selling bridging is easy but you have to be able to deliver the results when the deals come in.

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

I have been brought up to treat people the way you want to be treated yourself. Be polite, do your best and, more than anything, be honest. We can all deal with the truth however bad it might seem at the time.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Depends on what team Jose is putting out for United (Manchester, of course).

What did you want to be as a child?

Formula One Driver.

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

As with lending generally, nobody knows if the impending Brexit outcome will have a negative effect on the market or a positive one.

The one thing I learned from the post-2008 credit crunch is how dynamic and resilient the bridging market can be.

As long as confidence remains for investors to keep building new houses and diversify their portfolios in order to maximise income following recent tax changes, I’m confident that the opportunities will outweigh the challenges for the bridging market.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Being a true northerner, I’d say you can’t beat Peter Kay.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Not at all – it’s the start of a fresh week and fresh opportunities.

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

Taller.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

The one and only Sir Alex Ferguson to find out the real stories behind closed doors. He can also bring the wine.