The Five Minute Interview with Dewi Purnell, Bridging & Commercial Director, Cardiff Money

By Tony Sanchez 13th June 2018

Cardiff Money are a broker and client centric packager of 2nd charge mortgages and other specialist finance products.

MD Daniel Yeo has a clear vision of where the company is going and aims to become the go to packager of choice for 2nd charges, bridging and commercial for the intermediary market.

We speak to bridging & commercial director, Dewi Purnell:

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

The relationships I have with my brokers and lenders alike but ultimately getting the best client outcome. It’s a dynamic market, you need to be on point all the time, I love stealing a march on a competitor.

What keeps you focused?

Red bull and black coffee helps but seriously it’s about why you do it and who you’re doing it for. I do it as I’m passionate about what I do and I care about the outcomes for the clients I help and likewise I’m doing it to ensure I can look after my family which at last count is 8 with the 9^th on the way!

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

Mutual passion and ambition, along with a sense of humour.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I like to think of myself as an optimist, I look to the future and look for the positive in all situations.

What did you want to be as a child?

As a child…. I wanted to become an architect, not sure I knew what that was at the time but it sounded good.

When I learnt what it was I realised I wasn’t a very artistic person. I’m all about logic and structure, traits that fit well with what I do for a living.

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

The obvious one is the south and south east property market being unstable. This is a core area for bridging and development business.

Luckily and I suppose selfishly, I have contacts across the UK and in regions where the opposite trend is occurring (growth) so I’m well prepared for any challenges.

Who or what makes you laugh?

My kids, every day they come up with something new

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Would you if it meant you could get way from 8 kids…. I’m joking, but seriously I love my job so I relish the prospect.

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

I wish my gey hairs would go black again.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

Without question it’s my partner and our children.