The Five Minute Interview with Simon Chapman, Lending Director, Pluto Finance

By Tony Sanchez 16th June 2020

Pluto Finance has been actively lending since 2011 and is currently funding the construction of over 2,000 new homes.

They have a team of 20 specialist property lending professionals based in Mayfair, London. Pluto’s investors are top-tier global financial institutions.

They specialise in providing stretch senior development finance, senior development finance and bridging loans across the south of England.

Pluto Finance provides a fast turnaround time and an excellent quality of customer service. Over half of Pluto’s loans are made to repeat borrowers.

We speak to lending director, Simon Chapman:

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

The people. I think the industry has some great characters and holds a community feel. On the business side it is the fact that no deal is the same and each one holds its own challenges.

There is nothing better than completing a complicated transaction.

What keeps you focused?

The deals. Each day there are new deals on the table. No two days are the same

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

Honesty is the best policy for everything you do. I believe this is one of the most important attributes you can own. Integrity creates character and defines who you are as an individual or a business

Are you an optimist or a pessimist?

Ever an optimist. A positive attitude can open more doors then being negative

What did you want to be as a child?

An astronaut………

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

I think that’s an easy one given the current circumstances, but we must not forget we still face the challenges of Brexit.

Who or what makes you laugh?

Lenny Henry! His ‘Big Love’ performance as Theophilus for comic relief in 1986 still makes me laugh.

Do you dread Monday mornings?

No. I look forward to dealing with all the people I work with on a daily basis.

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

There is nothing that springs to mind…… however I would love to be great at public speaking as I find that rather uncomfortable, as I expect most people do!

With whom would you most like to have dinner?

My friends and family. I like nothing better than a Sunday Roast. I’m even happy to cook it.