The Five Minute Interview with Matthew Yassin, Director, Arc & Co.

By Tony Sanchez 29th October 2019

Arc & Co. is a specialist debt advisory with headquarters in Mayfair, London providing specialist advice on real estate, marine & aviation assets.

Arc & Co. was awarded Development Finance Broker of the Year at the Business Moneyfacts Awards 2019 for the third consecutive year.

We speak to director, Matthew Yassin:

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

The fact that it is a dynamic environment and one that is constantly evolving.

With global and local market movements and political uncertainty potentially affecting lending, directly or indirectly, it will always be an exciting and interesting business to be part of.

On a more micro note, providing solutions for entrepreneurs and enabling homes to be built is a satisfying part of the job.

What keeps you focused?

In any industry you must enjoy what you do daily as this is where you find your passion.

I find that working in the commercial finance industry keeps me focused, as I enjoy dealing with the ‘spilt wine’ that comes with every deal.

Finding a way through things is particularly satisfying and the feeling of achievement once the deal completes is infectious!

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

In my opinion this is an easy question to answer. It’s the simple things such as the ability to ask questions and re-read emails before sending them that really makes a difference.

Raw talent is never enough these days; it’s the drive and curiosity that enables people to deliver against their objectives….. and this is something that you cannot teach!

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

I always look up to the sky and smile. Its important to be conservative when needed but having a positive outlook on both life and business can lead to a great balance.

Colleagues and clients can really benefit and feed off someone with a glass half full approach – even when there is no water in the glass!

What did you want to be as a child?

A commercial airline pilot.

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

I think the lending industry will always face different kinds of challenges by virtue of who the industry supports; developers, commercial businesses, individuals, overseas investors and so on.

However, over the next few months, the uncertainty surrounding the political environment will certainly present challenges.

Although most lenders have already built this into their approach, it would be naïve to ignore the potential effects of the changes that will be upon us whichever way things end up.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Lots of office banter!

Do you dread Monday mornings?

You would dread something you do not enjoy, but I am very lucky that I get to work in an industry that I genuinely enjoy and want to be involved with.

At Arc & Co., I look forward to Monday mornings as I don’t view this as a job and instead see it as me fulfilling a passion.

I want to be successful and to keep learning and developing so that the advice that I give to my clients is always accurate and up-to date.

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

Lots of things that I could not possibly talk about in this interview!

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

Daniel Levy – I would ask if I could refinance the Tottenham Hotspur football stadium development finance facility, as I hear they’re re-positioning the debt as we speak!