The Five Minute Interview with Scott Lord, Senior Underwriter, Market Financial Solutions

By Tony Sanchez 27th September 2019

Market Financial Solutions is an award winning independent bridging finance provider that deals with a range of bespoke bridging solutions that are fast and flexible for all their intermediaries and clients.

We speak to senior underwriter, Scott Lord:

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

The complexity of every case, no deal is ever the same. For example, one day we might be lending to an overseas borrower looking to acquire an investment property; then the next day we might be looking to lend to a high net worth individual refinancing their whole property portfolio, lending across different types of properties.

In over three years I have not had one day that has ever felt repetitive, which is real joy.

What keeps you focused?

Most of our borrowers have a strict deadline and rely upon us to offer a service to ensure we meet them. I hate to disappoint people, and this definitely helps me stay focused.

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

Attention to detail is key, and someone who is honest and transparent. It is also important for someone to understand the urgency involved within the short-term lending market, have the ability to think outside the box and most importantly have a willingness to learn.

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

100% an optimist. I strongly believe you need to make the most of every opportunity, especially in a difficult situation, and find a solution.

What did you want to be as a child?

When I was a child I was obsessed with Space and really wanted to be an astronaut. I remember I was lucky enough to visit the Kennedy Space Centre, which felt like a dream come true.

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

Aside from the obvious challenge of Brexit and the uncertainty it has caused within the property market, I think the next challenge is ensuring you stand out from the crowd.

With a number of new lenders jumping into the scene, in what is already a saturated market, it will become more difficult to stand out within the industry.

I am personally extremely proud of both the service we offer along with the expertise of all our underwriters and I am confident that will we continue to grow as we have been over the last couple of years regardless.

Who or what makes you laugh?

There’s a podcast I’ve been listening to recently called ‘Off Menu’ with comedians Ed Gamble and James Acaster, which I find hilarious.

Apart from that, there’s several big characters within the office who make me laugh a lot too.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

I think most people would be lying if they said they didn’t, but what I mainly dread is the commute on the Central Line and not having one more day to relax.

That being said, as soon as I am in the office, I’m excited for the new challenges coming my way!

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

I’m sure my partner, friends and colleagues would strongly disagree, but there’s nothing I would change. Although, I can be a bit grumpy in the mornings, so maybe that.

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

This is a tricky one, there’s so many people to choose from, currently I would say Greta Thunberg.

There are many famous climate change activists, such as Leonardo Di Caprio & Sir David Attenborough, but what Greta is doing and trying to achieve is incredible, especially for someone at such a young age, a real inspiration.

I also recently finished that new documentary on Bill Gates, so business wise it would have to be him. His mind is unbelievable.