Roma Finance is a specialist bridging lender based in Manchester with an individual approach to providing borrower with the finance they need for their property project.
We speak to Scott Marshall, Lending Director.

What is the best thing about being in the bridging/development finance business?
Every deal is different, every property and every borrower is different.  It’s an exciting and dynamic business to be in. We have a personal approach and work with brokers and their borrowers to fully understand each case inside out, so we get to see every aspect of the project. It makes it extremely interesting and it’s amazing to see how bridging finance can help in so many different situations.
What keeps you focussed?
Knowing that we are helping a borrower get from A to B and helping them achieve their goals provides us with real satisfaction. By meeting the borrowers and talking through their plans it allows us to understand their route to a successful outcome.
What qualities do you look for in your employees or colleagues?
Honesty, integrity, ambition and a strong work ethic.  We’re recruiting so if you fit all those categories, please get in touch.
Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
Rainmakers have to be optimists and underwriters have to be pessimists, so you need a balance.  I’m probably more an optimist though. Often we get a case where the borrower has been let down in some way, so we have to get to know what the issues are to try to resolve them before we can lend, and I’m pleased to say, we do manage to do just that on many of these occasions.
What did you want to be as a child?
I always wanted to be in business.
What will be the greatest challenge facing the bridging/development finance industry in the coming months?
In my view, MMR will indirectly provide the biggest challenge.  We’re already seeing the number of mortgage approvals and the housing market is starting to cool.  This will have a knock on effect on the exit route for a lot of bridging deals.
Who or what makes you laugh?
John Bishop, Jackie Mason & Mark Maier.
Do you dread Monday mornings?
No, the opposite.  I thrive on coming to work on Monday mornings and am excited at what the week will hold for our business.
If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Can I change 3 things?  If so and in order of priority, I’d be taller, better looking and have more hair.
With whom would you most like to have dinner?
Gerald Ronson CBE– for his property acumen, philanthropy and believing in some amazing causes that have helped numerous people around the world.