As Hope Capital celebrates its 13th birthday, CEO, Jonathan Sealey, spoke to Bridging Loan Directory to discuss 13 lessons he has learnt over the years in the bridging finance market.

Jonathan Sealey:

I’m so proud to reach this milestone and celebrate this with our team and everyone else who has helped us over the years. It’s hard to fathom where the time has gone, but what an amazing experience it’s been!

From setting up Hope Capital in 2011, my goal has always remained the same: to be the go-to lender for providing a reliable and efficient service. Over the past 13 years, we have worked with many brokers, borrowers, investors and stakeholders, who have helped us go from strength to strength.

As with any business, there have been many occasions where we have had to adapt to changing market trends, whether it is placing a bigger emphasis on certain products or specific lending areas. There have been plenty of hurdles to jump over, however, with the help of our fantastic team, we’ve always found a way.  

Here’s a roundup of the top 13 things I have learnt as CEO of Hope Capital:

1. Your team is everything.

Hope Capital has grown significantly over the years, where appointing the first two members of the team, who are still part of the business – Pauline O’Gorman, Office Manager, and Laura Carr, Head of Underwriting – feels like it was only yesterday. One thing I have always prioritised is creating a strong company culture. Happy and appreciated employees will always take care of your business and clients, it really is that simple. We’re fortunate to not only boast one of the most knowledgeable, experienced teams in the industry, but also a group of people who truly care about the company and their colleagues. I can’t thank the team enough!

2. A reliable service is paramount.

 

If I’ve learnt anything over the years, it’s a great service outweighs everything else. There has always been a battle between lenders on who can provide the lowest rates, highest LTV and so forth. Of course, while affordability is key, there is no future as a business, if you can’t compliment your offering with a second-to-none service. Brokers and borrowers want to have the confidence that the lender they use will deliver what they have promised. This is why we’ve built Hope Capital on a foundation of reliability, so we have a reputation of being efficient and trustworthy.

3. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

 

A bridging loan is extremely diverse and can be used for a multitude of reasons across various property types. While at times certain purposes become more in demand than others, I’d say for the most part our loans are utilised as a tool for developers who want to do refurbishment works or buy a property at auction. Both reasons provide lucrative investment opportunities for investors, so I’m not surprised this is the case. This is why we’re always looking at our offering to make sure it hits the mark.  

4. The reputation of the bridging market continues to evolve.

 

The bridging market has changed considerably compared to when it first came to fruition.  Once viewed as an over-expensive, complicated and risky option, it’s positive to see this is no longer the case.

Nevertheless, the specialist lending industry remains a specialised area and while it’s great it has grown in popularity, educating brokers so they have a full understanding of what is involved and what the best option is for their client, is still key.  

5. Adaptability is key.

 

It would be misleading for me to say things have always gone the way I’ve wanted them to over the years. At times things are out of our control, however the ability to anticipate changes and not panic when things don’t go according to plan, is crucial. As a team, we have had to adapt to several changes over the years, whether that be the need to introduce new processes, or a demand in a specific product area etc. As a result, it has and continues to be our priority to listen to the feedback of brokers and borrowers on what they want to see in the market and how they want it to be delivered.

 

6. It’s important to be more than just a bridging lender.

 

Asides from operating in the short-term market, we’re committed to supporting our local communities and have a long history of being more than just a bridging lender. Over the years we’ve had the opportunity to support several charities which are close to our hearts, from our long-running support of the Sunshine Group breast cancer charity to our work with local food and anti-poverty charities. We’re proud to have also supported various individuals in our community including professional fighters, such as Paddy the Baddy, Luke Riley and Nathan Fletcher.

 

7. The bridging market is resilient.

 

I’m sure those who work in the bridging sector will all agree we have faced our fair share of challenges over the years. The list could go on, from the impact of the covid-19 pandemic, the surge in interest rates over the years; a lot of people have questioned the knock-on effect this would have on the market. Albeit it hasn’t always been the smoothest journey, this market is resilient. Short-term finance provides a much-needed solution, which is why I know the bridging sector will continue to play a vital role in the economy no matter what challenges arise.

 

8. Success isn’t down to one.

 

Asides from our amazing team, to reach 13 years in business would not have been achieved if it wasn’t for the fantastic relationships we’ve forged over the years. From brokers, borrowers, stakeholders, investors, each external party has been instrumental to our success, and I’d like to thank everyone who has been involved in our journey.

 

9. Embrace change.

 

I’ve learnt you must be willing to embrace change and try new things, as by doing the same things every day, prevents the business moving forward. Over the years, we’ve taken many calculated risks and worked with the team on new innovative ideas, which has been instrumental in our growth.

 

10. Drive innovation.

 

At Hope Capital, we pride ourselves on our unique approach, where our USP is our whole value proposition which is underpinned by service excellence. By prioritising product innovation and customer service, this has resulted in us solidifying ourselves as a leading lender in the bridging finance industry. We believe the only way you can provide suitable products in the market is by asking brokers first-hand what they’d like to see. This year alone, we’ve done our research and launched a host of innovative, tailored products to meet demand, including our residential medium refurbishment offering, development exit and finish & exit loans, just to name a few.

11. Never stop learning.

 

As a business, learning should be a continuous process. Something which was once sufficient for success in the market, may no longer be enough, which is why going back to the drawing board and regularly making enhancements is crucial. By implementing this thought process in Hope Capital, this is why I believe we have been able to succeed in an industry which changes rapidly.

 

12. Don’t try to second guess everything.

 

In this market, there are so many variables with impacts that are impossible to predict. Forecasting what will happen in the long run is not an invaluable exercise, but it is equally as important to look at what is happening right now and the direction this will take the business in the long term. That’s why we regularly look at our offering to determine: is it meeting broker demand, are we generating good feedback, are we competitive in the market etc. This approach is why I believe we have achieved the success we have.   

 

13. Celebrate your successes

 

The bridging market has developed considerably over the years, transforming from a small number of lenders operating in a relatively limited, niche industry to now, where it comprises a growing force of specialist lenders competing in a highly competitive market. To reach 13 years, comprising a solid team and without a doubt experiencing the strongest position we’ve ever been in is something I’m incredibly proud of. The future is looking very good at Hope Capital that’s for sure.