Become a speaker
We are delighted to host an inspiring cross-section of speakers, panellists and chairpeople. Click on the photos to view a short bio on each speaker, as well as information about the conference session in which they feature.
If you're interested in being a speaker or panellist at the expo, contact [email protected] or call Caron Schreuder on 0203 818 1062.
2021 SPEAKERS LIST
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Beth FisherEditor
Beth Fisher joined Medianett in 2014 after co-creating an award-winning B2B magazine as a journalism undergraduate. In just under six years, Beth has helped design and launch two online specialist finance publications and increase broker readership by more than 50% through the use of informative features, in-depth interviews and exclusive content.
Recently, she has been the face of Medianett’s filmed roundtable series, bringing together guests from all parts of the transaction chain to discuss niche areas of the bridging and development finance markets. In January 2019, Beth was integral in the launch of the brand new bi-monthly Bridging & Commercial Magazine, which has revolutionised how property finance brokers keep abreast of the industry’s zeitgeist.
Beth will be chairing the Property 90 - Bridging finance panel at 11:15am in the Precise Mortgages Conference Theatre.
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Martine CattonDeputy Chief Executive
Martine is a Deputy Chief Executive at the JLG Group, serving as a Director and Chief Commercial Officer for JLG’s principal subsidiary, Just Cashflow.
She has extensive banking, business finance, asset-backed lending and alternative finance experience spanning some 30 years, and feels passionately about ensuring SMEs have access to the finance they need to invest and grow.
During her career, she has held senior positions with Barclays Bank, Aldermore Bank and Hitachi Capital. She was previously a CEO and Board Director of Catalyst Business Finance, and over a three-year period, she instigated and implemented a company transformation from a Selective Business Finance provider to a Business Loans Specialist.Martine is also a founder member and director of the Association of Alternative Business Finance and also sits on the Board of the National Association of Commercial Finance Brokers (NACFB).
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Shrena PatelSenior Business Development Manager
Shrena Patel became a Senior Business Development manager at Octane Capital after joining from Shawbrook Bank where she was a BDM.
Prior to this, Patel was a Corporate Relationship Director at Santander and Business Manager at Barclays.
Shrena holds a Bachelor of Science in Information Systems from Kingston University.
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Marc GoldbergChief Executive Officer, Commercial division
Marc Goldberg is the driving force behind Together and has been with the company for more than 30 years, having been appointed to the Specialist Lender board in 2001.
As Chief Executive Officer of the Commercial division, Marc oversees all aspects of commercial lending, including unregulated bridging, commercial term and buy-to-let mortgages, auction and development finance.
He is renowned throughout the industry for his commercial acumen and his commitment to the specialist finance industry throughout changing economic cycles – including the global pandemic – ensuring the business has consistently flourished.
Throughout his stellar career, he has continually supported Together’s network of brokers and intermediaries and collected numerous industry accolades for his valuable contribution to the wider industry.
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Paul MakManaging Director
Paul Mak is a Managing Director at Pomegranate Commercial Finance, an FCA-regulated commercial finance brokerage. He had worked at NatWest's Business and Commercial banking for over twenty year before launching up PCF in Nov 2017.
Pomegranate Commercial Finance supports start ups, SMEs, and corporate businesses in funding growth and acquisition. They specialise in property, cashflow, MBO, MBI and acquisition funding.
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Josh KnightSenior BDM
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Paul WatsonHead of Lending
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Mark HawthornCEO
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Scott MarshallManaging Director
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Lorenzo SatchellRegional Account Manager
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Jamie PritchardDirector of Sales
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Steve SmithNational Sales Manager
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Rob JuppCEO and Founder
Rob is the CEO and founder of the multi-award winning The Brightstar Group, which since 2011 has originated over £5 billion of specialist property debt and won an excess of 100 national awards, including the ‘Sunday Times Best Small Company to Work For’ in 2019 and 2020, and ‘Gold Employer of the Year’ at the Global Investor in People Awards. The Brightstar Group operates under two brands, Brightstar Financial Ltd and Sirius Property Finance Ltd.
Rob is a regular speaker and press commentator, as well as a five-time winner of the British Mortgage Award and two-time winner of ‘Mortgage Personality of the Year’ at the Mortgage Strategy Awards.
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Alice WilliamsDirector
Alice began her career in the private banking sector before moving into the brokering space with focus on property finance. Alice specialises in structuring complex bridging and development deals, and has a catalogue of multifaceted completions under her belt.
Since joining Pilot Fish, she has successfully grown the business’ property arm. Alice has been awarded numerous accolades, notably the ‘Peterborough's Emerging Leader’ award; she was also featured in the Bridging & Commercial magazine's 35 under 35 Power List, and the 2021 Power List.
Alice regularly appears as a guest speaker and advisor at property networks across the UK. In order to show support for property investors and developers, in 2020 she launched The Pilot Fish Academy which offers the first, completely free of charge, online finance training academy.
Alice is CeMAP qualified and will shortly complete her MSc in Real Estate Finance and Investment. She is also undertaking her APC to reach Chartered Surveyor status.
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Piragash SivanesanFounder
After a career in Corporate Banking, Piragash set up Totum Finance in order to support SME businesses and property developers in improving their access to varied financing options. Prior to establishing his own business, Piragash has worked at KPMG, Lloyds Banking Group and Royal Bank of Scotland, across credit, front office, restructuring and turnaround divisions.
Throughout a career spanning over 14 years, Piragash has gained knowledge about the true, organic nature of the funding puzzle and that the old and established ways of funding can be affected by the economy, personal experiences, changing needs of the borrower, interest rates and geopolitical situations.
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Juliet BaboolalPartner
Juliet is a dual-qualified English Solicitor; she became a Lawyer in Trinidad and Tobago in 2003, and then re-qualified as a Solicitor of England and Wales in 2005. Juliet has practised as a Commercial Property lawyer and litigator in England since 2005 and is also a qualified mediator.
Juliet’s experience in Property Litigation with an emphasis on Mortgage and Banking Law has proven invaluable to the real estate finance work which she undertakes at Seddons. She is a strategic thinker who is heavy on execution and delivery, and knowledgeable on all aspects of the issues and requirements of her clients.
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D’mitri ZaprzalaDirector
D’mitri Zaprzala joined Avamore Capital in October 2021 as a Director. Prior to joining Avamore, D’mitri was Head of Residential at Octopus Real Estate.
D’mitri co-leads Avamore's Management Team and is a member of the Credit Committee. His key focus is on executing core initiatives to drive the company's growth, whilst also providing guidance on commercial aspects and working closely with both the Sales and Marketing team.
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Sasha NjaguljManaging Director, Global Head of ESG, Real Estate
Aleksandra (Sasha) Njagulj is Global Head of ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance), Real Estate at DWS Group, responsible for ESG integration across global real estate portfolios. She is an accomplished ESG expert with over 20 years of practical experience in architectural design, design management and the sustainable built environment.
Throughout her career, Sasha has built a reputation both professionally and personally for championing the cause of responsible real estate investment. She received the UK-based edie 2020 Sustainability Leaders Award for Investor of the Year for an ESG programme she designed and delivered for CBRE. In addition, Sasha was awarded the 2020 GRESB/BREEAM Individual Leadership Award, recognising strong leadership and commitment in the field of sustainable development. In 2021, Njagulj won the global Future Proof Real Estate Woman Award as a leader in applying digitalisation, technology, open innovation and sustainability to create a better built environment.
A qualified architect, Sasha holds a Master's degree in Architectural Design from the University of Belgrade; a Master's degree in Sustainability Leadership from the University of Cambridge. She is a BRE Academy Fellow and sits on the INREV ESG Committee and the ULI Sustainability Council.
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Emily MachinHead of Specialist Finance
Emily Machin is Head of Specialist Finance at OSB Group. She leads a team of specialist finance account managers, overseeing the buy to let, holiday let, commercial and semi-commercial lending propositions across InterBay Commercial, shared ownership at Kent Reliance for Intermediaries, as well as bridging, second charge and new-build lending with Precise Mortgages.
Emily’s career began when she joined the Chelsea Building Society in 2002, working in the branch network. She then moved to Northern Rock in 2006 to work as a business development manager in 2006, staying through the Virgin Money takeover, before leaving to join TSB in 2014 working in national accounts.
She joined OSB Group (originally OneSavings Bank) in 2016 as a national account manager, before transitioning into the role of Head of National Accounts, finally becoming Head of Specialist Finance in 2021.
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Marcus DussardSales Director
Marcus has over 20 years of experience in financial services. Before joining Hampshire Trust Bank as Sales Director, he held several roles at Castle Trust, which he had joined at launch and helped to establish as a Bank. Prior to this, Marcus worked in Fund Management and Investment Banking as a Business Development Manager for Old Mutual Asset Managers.
At Hampshire Trust Bank, Marcus leads the Specialist Mortgages sales team, dedicated to providing tailored solutions for complex requirements, including residential and commercial bridging, buy-to-let and semi-commercial mortgages. He is instrumental in the development of the HTB specialist mortgages proposition, and maintains constant dialogue with Bank’s brokers and major stakeholders.
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Nick BakerManaging Director - Intermediaries
Nick Baker has over 15 years of experience as a financial services professional, specialising predominantly in Commercial Mortgages. He started his career at Christie Finance and rose through the ranks to become Managing Director. Nick is now responsible for the broker channel at Allica Bank and also sits on the Bank’s Executive Committee.
He has first-hand experience of the commercial mortgage and commercial finance brokerage markets, blending a strong background in financial services with sales, distribution and marketing acumen.
Nick is also an Enterprise Mentor with The Prince’s Trust and Volunteer with Young Enterprise.
He graduated from the University of Northampton with first-class honours in Advertising & Public Relations.
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Owen KingHead of UK Corporate Research and Strategy
Owen King is the Head of UK Corporate Research and Strategy at JLL, where he leads the development of thought leadership, reports and insights across a range of themes and sectors. He has recently authored reports on the impact of technology on real estate; how corporates can raise capital from their owned properties; and the future of work.
Owen has a commanding interest in the trends shaping the ways we live and work, and is regularly engaged by investors and landlords to help future-proof their portfolios. He has previously advised Great Portland Estates, Land Securities and Lipton Rogers on adapting their properties to enhance their appeal to occupiers.
Owen also leads digital and data programmes within research at JLL. He is a proficient software developer, and draws on these skills to build statistical models, generate new insights and create new products. He has developed numerous client-facing applications and other digital tools.
Prior to joining JLL, Owen led workplace consultancy projects for a boutique property consultancy.
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Adrian MoloneyGroup Sales Director
Adrian joined OSB Group in December 2015, and took on the role of Group Sales Director in 2020. He’s responsible for all field and telephone-based sales teams across all group lending brands, including Precise Mortgages, Kent Reliance for Intermediaries and InterBay Commercial.
Adrian joined OSB from Nationwide, where he was a senior member of the Corporate Account team. He has over 21 years of industry experience, including time spent at both Mortgage Trust and Portman Building Society.
A highly respected industry spokesperson and keynote speaker, Adrian was previously named ‘Mortgage Personality of the Year’ at the prestigious Mortgage Strategy Awards 2018. He is also a three-time winner of the ‘Business Leader: Complex Buy-to-Let Lender’ at the British Specialist Lending Awards. Adrian has also been on the board of IMLA since 2019.
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Stephen ToddChief Commercial Officer & Co-Founder
Stephen has held senior positions within large international property advisory companies carrying out UK and pan European loan security and valuations for clients including two of the largest European Industrial portfolios.
Having also worked for one of the UK’s largest specialist lenders, Stephen has unique experience in carrying out valuation reviews and providing lending advice in all property types and sectors, helping identify property-specific and lending risks. -
Edward ClarkManaging Director
Edward Clark is the Principal of Uplift Finance, a specialist mortgage brokerage based in Staffordshire.
Edward brings a background in both retail and investment banking, having managed products for the now-defunct Edeus mortgages through the 2007-2008 crash, moving on to Deutsche Bank to work in Syndicated Loans and then Hedge Fund Babson (now Bearings) in Syndicated Loans and Fixed Income.
Leaving banking for a period of three years’ travel he returned with fresh ideas, initially focusing on a Modular/Eco homes concept on the south coast, he founded Uplift to solve ethical problems and add creativity to commercial finance. Areas of focus include HMOs, Coliving and Modular Development Finance.
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Chris GardnerFounder, COO and Joint Managing Director
Chris has extensive experience working in UK financial services and the specialist real estate lending sector in particular. He is an outspoken champion of sustainable lending and is regularly quoted in the media on all things ESG and the real estate industry’s move towards Net Zero. He recently led the design and development of a pioneering, science-based Greentech lending product for residential developers that links the cost of capital to carbon emissions.
Chris is co-founder and joint managing director of the development lender Atelier. Before establishing Atelier, he built a leading mortgage intermediary business which exited to a major Wall Street Bank. Prior to this, Chris held a strategic mortgage role at a high street lender and delivered the infrastructure to launch a challenger bank. Chris consults regularly and is an elected Fellow of the London Institute of Banking. He also holds a Master’s with Distinction in Financial Services Management, majoring in Risk and Compliance.
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Alison Houghton-CorfieldNational Relationship Director
Alison Houghton-Corfield is a National Relationship Director at Master Private Finance, a master broker and packager in the specialist lending arena. MPF works with mortgage networks, firms, and introducers.
Alison boasts over 25 years of experience working in financial services, majority of them spent at BOS, Halifax and Lloyds.
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Mike CoatesManaging Director
Mike founded his company Commercial Expert Ltd. in 2008 following the financial crisis of the same year.
Having worked for almost a decade in the residential mortgage sector prior to this, Mike has been able to productively use his extensive knowledge of the industry on a truly commercial scale.
As well as advising on all aspects of commercial lending, Mike prides himself on offering expert advice on all forms of investment property finance, including HMO’s, MUFB’s, holiday lets and residential & commercial portfolios.
With a successful residential investment portfolio of his own, he is aware of the pitfalls and perils caused by the effects of the fluctuating economy, ever-changing taxation criteria and understands the requirements of even the most restrictive of lenders.
Mike is well positioned to provide in-depth knowledge and commentary on commercial and investment property finance based on a vast wealth of both personal and professional experience.
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Gareth LewisCommercial DIrector
Gareth joined MT Finance from specialist lender, Precise Mortgages, in May 2018.
He has more than 14 years of experience in the short-term lending market, having previously held roles at Tiuta and Cheval Property Finance, before joining Precise Mortgages in 2011.
Gareth is responsible for overseeing product development and identifying new propositions to meet the company's growing demand. -
Shelly ConnellyDirector of Lending and Credit Operations
Shelley Connelly is a Director of Lending and Credit Operations at Masthaven Bank, overseeing operations and credit across the specialist lender’s bridging and development finance and residential and buy-to-let mortgages. Prior to this, she was Head of Underwriting.
With over a decade of experience in secured lending, Shelley brings a range of operational and industry experience to her role and is passionate about delivering brilliant outcomes and great experiences for intermediary partners and customers alike.Before joining Masthaven, Shelley held key positions at Prestige Finance, whilst privately owned and under the ownership of OneSavings Bank. -
David TraversChief Executive Officer
Programme
See us stage our largest conference programme to date, complete with varied sessions and the very best companies and individuals to provide insight, information and valued experience to the FP Show.
To view the participants in each session, click on 'View more'.
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The Big Debate - Is it time to seriously consider a specialist finance qualification?
10:30–11:15Panel debate
Featuring: Brightstar Group, Pilot Fish Finance, Avamore Capital, Masthaven, VAS Panel, Seddons, Totum Finance, OSB Group -
The Big Debate this year is centred on the need for a qualification in the specialist finance market that brokers can take in order to evidenc... View More
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The Future of Work and Real Estate
11:15–11:45Presentation
by Owen King, head of research and residential at JLL -
Not a session to be missed, Owen King, who has recently authored a report that sets out a model for work in the post-pandemic world, will be&n... View More
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Maximising Opportunities in Buy-to-let
11:45–12:30Panel
Featuring: InterBay Commercial, Together, Octane Capital, Commercial Expert, Master Private Finance, Hampshire Trust Bank -
The world of BTL has is ever changing for landlords and investors. Changes in tenant requirements and rights, taxation and the need to bring proper... View More
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Building Better and Greener
13:30–14:15Panel
Featuring: Impact Lending, Uplift Finance, DWS Group, Atelier Capital Partners -
Climate action is finally making its way into our sector's consciousness in a meaningful manner. We've gathered some of the indus... View More
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SME Business Lending Update
14:15–14:45Chaired conversation
Featuring: Allica Bank and Just Cashflow -
Nick Baker, managing director for intermediaries at Allica Bank, and Martine Catton, deputy CEO at Just Cashflow (JLG Group), discuss the finance p... View More
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The Rise in Regulated Bridging
14:45–15:15Talk
By MT Finance -
Gareth Lewis, commercial director at MT Finance, delivers a presentation on how regulated bridging has developed, especially over the last 18 month... View More
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