The Five Minute Interview with George Petrou, Head of Underwriting, Century Capital

By Tony Sanchez 3rd October 2019

Century Capital provide fast, flexible and reliable short-term bridging finance. Their bridging loans are built around the specific needs of the client. Their clients range from private individuals to professional property investors.

As a traditional asset lender, Century Capital base their loan decisions on the open market value of the property rather than the credit profile of the client.

This equity-based approach to lending grants them a greater level of flexibility, meaning they are often able to lend where others cannot.

We speak to Head of Underwriting, George Petrou:

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

Each day is very different from the last, and being part of the bridging industry means that you will underwrite a vast variety of different bridging loans.

What keeps you focused?

The challenges of underwriting complex and large loans.

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

Someone that enjoys a challenge, is very efficient and able to use common sense.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Definitely an optimist, you have to be an optimist to be working in the bridging industry.

What did you want to be as a child?

A politician

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

I know it’s a cliché, but the dreaded B word ‘Brexit’.

Depending on how resilient the property market can be post a Deal or No Deal Brexit scenario, the challenge being how confident domestic and foreign buyers will be to invest in the British property market from 2020.

Who or what makes you laugh?

My colleague Ben Charkham

Do you dread Monday mornings?

Not at all! Why would anyone dread the challenges of a brand-new week!!!

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

Not to be as perfect as I am!

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

Napoleon