This is a compilation of the chairmen and judges on both the lender and broker panels for the Loan Talk Secured Loans Awards 2014.

Loan Talk is praised for following a fair and transparent judging process, and has therefore secured a range of  expereinced industry members who each have an impressive range of knowledge and experience in order to judge the shortlisted nominess.

The judging is split between two panels, one made up of brokers and the other of lenders, where both panels judge the opposing categories. The majority will be taken from the panel vote.

Broker panel chair

John Malone

Broker panel members

Beth Fisher
Reporter
Loan Talk

Bethany graduated from the University of Central Lancashire in June 2013 with a BA Honours NCTJ-accredited degree in Journalism, majoring in magazines and online media. Beth created a B2B magazine with a small group of journalists, where they were the only undergraduates that were shortlisted by the PPA awards as well as winning Best Magazine Concept by the NCTJ last year. As well as experiences in business writing, she has written for national magazine titles. Beth now reports across a number of alternative finance trade press titles including Loan Talk, Bridging & Commercial, Bridging & Commercial Distributor, Development Finance Today and Today's Landlord.

Bradley Moore
Director - Head of Second Charge Loans
Brightstar Financial  

Bradley has 18 years of financial services experience, where he started working life at Blevins Franks Investment Management, working in London and Malta, before moving to Norwich Union Life and Pensions London City Office. He made the switch to the mortgage world in 2003, where he met his current CEO Rob Jupp. Bradley is a Founding Director of Brightstar Financial and Head of Second Charge Lending. As a keen traveller, he took a year out of his early working life to see the world. Bradley is well-known for his no-nonsense approach for doing business and remains uncompromising in his pursuit of excellence.

Mark Fry
Managing Director
CSC Loans

 Mark Fry first became involved in the second charge industry when he worked for First National Securities from 1983 – 1987. In 1987 Mark started business as a sole trader advertising in the local press. In 1989 he received his first “broker introduced” case and still receives business from introducer relationships formed nearly 25 years ago. Mark enjoys a hands on role as MD of Colonial Second Charge Loans (CSCLoans) which has become a leading Master Broker in the UK. Mark has seen many changes in the industry including the introduction of the cooling off period in the 1980’s, to the change of regulator from OFT to FCA this year. Mark’s longevity in the industry means he is well known to the Directors of Colonial’s panel of lenders. It is generally regarded that Colonial’s quality of business and standard of packaging is second to none in the second charge market. Outside of the office Mark enjoys watching all levels of football and takes part in the occasional challenge – most recently cycling from Newhaven to Paris in a day and a half.

Matt Cottle
Commerical Director
Y3S Group

Matt Cottle is the Commercial Director of Y3S Loans, the largest B2B secured loans packager in the UK .

John Webb
Director
The Loan Partnership

After being a Primary school teacher for ten years, John entered the world of broking in 1985. He had a family brokerage called Express Finance and built this up until the recession of the early 90's. After seeing this out and doing supply teaching to make ends meet, John moved into better times. The change of name to Dial 4 a Loan really had a dramatic effect with an increase of 35 per cent in turnover within four weeks. The internet coupled with TV, radio and extensive press advertising took the company into heady times and it was soon completing £30 million a month. Figures such as that lead to a sale and it was sold to Cattles PLC in Oct 2002. John worked for another twelve months, which lead to a parting of the ways. After devoting time to golf and leisure, John became bored, and with an upturn hopefully on the way, the opportunity to work with Andy Pelley came up. John had always admired Andy and he felt it was an opportunity he couldn't miss. They both went to see David Johnson, their long-time mentor and friend and The Loan Partnership was born. John still enjoys the buzz of getting a deal over the line and the challenge of growing a company. Although if he wasn't back, he would still be cursing on the golf course and getting even grumpier. In 1991, they received a survivors silver medal from FNB at their annual Millionaires bash, "those who went through it this time should have one in gold", he said.

Malcolm Scanlon
Partner/ Head of Lending
Niche Financial Solutions

During his 25-year career in the finance sector, Malcolm has worked to build and develop strong relationships within the industry. He has drawn on the extensive experience gained from his roles as Head of Sales for BCS Loans and Mortgages and as Managing Director of Chelsea Broking Services to set up Niche Financial Solutions. Malcolm has worked within the secured loan arena since 1989 and has seen dramatic changes to the marketplace over the years, but now hopes the steady rise in this sector will continue for some time.

Marie Grundy
Managing Director
V Loans

Marie Grundy is the Managing Director of V Loans.  V Loans is a specialist secured loan packager offering second charge products amd bridging finance to mortgage intermediaries throughout the UK. Marie is also a board member of the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries, representing the secured loan industry and an active member of the industry's trade body - The Association of Finance Brokers. Previously, Marie was the National Sales Manager for Southern Pacific Secured Loans, and held several management positions within the Yorkshire Building Society and Accord Mortgages.

Simon Juniper
Managing Director
Only Loans

Simon Juniper is the Managing Director of secured loans brokerage Only Loans, which was launched earlier in June this year. Simon is also the Managing Director of award-winning bridging loan specialist, Only Bridging, and has had past experience working as a Branch Manager at First National Bank and Managing Director of Flexi Loans and Mortgages, where he managed a team of 50, packaging secured loans for the second charge mortgage industry.

Matt Tristram
Co-Founder & Director
Loans Warehouse

Matt has worked in secured loans specifically for 14 years; having launched Loans Warehouse with Sam Busfield from a spare bedroom in 2006, Loans Warehouse has grown since, trading throughout the credit crunch and has grown to become one of the biggest and most respected Secured Loan brokerage in the industry. One of the most outspoken and respected names in the Secured Loan industry and one of the driving forces behind the growth of the sector over the last few years.

 Lender panel chair

Chair - Robert Sinclair
Chief Executive of AMI and Associate Director of AFB

Robert helped establish the Association of Mortgage Intermediaries (AMI) as an independent entity on the 1st February 2012.  Robert joined the former parent trade body, AIFA, in October 2006, initially looking after the Association of Finance Brokers and since 2008, AMI.  He looks after the day-to-day running of AMI and AFB by delivering member information and services, lobbying regulators and policy-makers and developing press relations. Before this, he was Head of Advice Development and Quality, Retail Banking, at Santander (from 2003).  Here he had responsibility for all advice policy, T&C and advice quality matters for the regulated sales forces of Santander. Prior to this, he was Regional Manager for Inscape Investments Ltd.  From 1978-2000, Robert worked for HSBC in a variety of roles. He brings a wealth of industry experience to the trade body, having held a number of front-line sales roles combined with experience in marketing, training and internal audit.

Lender panel members

Simon Stern
Business Development Director
Prestige FInance

Having previously worked in retail including Marks & Spencer, Simon joined what was then a family lending company business in 1984, meaning he has been in the second charge industry for over 30 years. Having previously been a company specialising in the adverse market, it was acquired by OneSavings Bank (OSB) in September 2012. It then launched a new product range in March 2013, which included both prime and near prime criteria. It is now part of a publically quoted company as OSB joined the stock market in June 2014.  It has been an incredible journey for both Simon, his partners and Prestige as this industry has changed beyond recognition. He stated: "It is an industry that has some phenomenal hard working and committed people working in it and hopefully the market will continue to grow in the coming year and especially as we face up to the challenges of new regulation. I am delighted and proud to be part of the judging panel at these Secured Loan awards."

Stuart Aiken
Chief Operating Officer
Masthaven Secured Loans

Stuart is Chief Operating Officer at Masthaven Secured Loans (MSL). Having developed and launched MSL’s secured lending company in Summer 2012, he now runs its operations, looking to significantly grow and develop the business and build a substantial share of the secured market in the coming year. Prior to Masthaven, Stuart was one of the SPML/SPPL start-up team that built and sold it to Lehman. In his last year in that business, it originated over £2.6 billion of new first and second mortgages. Stuart has been involved in a number of other lending start-ups before and since, working with Merrill Lynch, Hypo Bank and others. As a Consultant, Stuart assisted potential new entrants to SME and second mortgage markets, and advised various investment banks and hedge funds.

Maeve Ward 
Sales and Operations Director
Masthaven Secured Loans

Maeve Ward is Sales and Operations Director of Secured Lending at Shawbrook Bank. Maeve has over 12 years’ experience in the first mortgage, bridging finance and secured loan industry. The majority of Maeve’s career has been spent at GE money until 2006, when she was headhunted to be Sales Manager of Link Lending. Maeve puts her brokers at the heart of everything she does and is committed to working with them, helping them with marketing and product innovation, and listening to feedback to ensure that Shawbrook is at the forefront of everything they do. In 2015, Maeve will be focussing on supporting brokers as they move through the new regulatory environment and helping them to achieve full authorisation. 

Simon Carr
Director of Second Charge Lending
Precise Mortgage

Simon has responsibility for Precise Mortgage's Second Charge Lending proposition, ensuring products, service, process and pricing are aligned to the strategic objectives of the business. He previously held senior roles with Purple Loans (a GE Company) and Promise Solutions in the UK. Simon has 24 years' experience in the Second Charge Lending and Master Broker markets.

Mat Beaver
Managing Director
Evolution Money

Mat holds the role of Managing Director, having founded and launched Evolution Money in January 2011, he was responsible for taking the business through the initial proof of concept phase, launching it to the market and now manages the strategic and operational growth.  Prior to launching Evolution Money, Mat had an extensive background within financial services.  He has been in the market for over 18 years, originally starting his career at Barclays, before moving to one of the market leading secured loan brokers and then on to a sub-prime lender. Mat holds the same passion for the business today as he did 18 years ago and enjoys the new challenges that every new day brings.

Joanne Edwards
Head of Sales
Nemo Personal Finance

Joanne has worked within the secured loan industry all of her career, having previously worked at First Plus before moving to Nemo, where she held a number of jobs over the eight years she has been there. She joined Nemo as a Loan Officer and moved up through the ranks to Team Leader and subsequently Retail Operation Manager. During her time there, they have faced many challenges, namely through the credit crunch, but Joanne, and the company, have been proud of Nemo’s consistent presence in the market and the service it provides consumers and brokers.
Joanne's previous experience has put her in a good position for her current role as of Head of Sales. She fully understands the front end sales process and how important it is to service the customer well. The lender plays a key part in helping brokers continue the great service they provide, by ensuring the process with Nemo is smooth and straightforward. With this in mind, Joanne is honoured to be asked to be a judge and is looking forward to both the judging and the event!

Gary Bailey
Sales Director
Blemain Finance

Gary Bailey is Sales Director at Blemain Group, with over 25 years’ experience in the unsecured, first mortgage, bridging finance, commercial finance and secured loan industry. The majority of Gary's career has been with Blemain Group, which he joined in since 1997 as the first National Sales Manager to assist in the growth of the group. Gary believes his broker's partners are a great contributor to the growth and sustained success of the group over the decades, through their support and  continuous feedback. Listening to this feedback has modelled the Group's service and  products, as well as the efficiency and effectiveness of the relationship. His dedication to the broker market continues into 2015 as more phases of the group's front-end automation, launched in late 2014, comes to fruition, designed by brokers for brokers. Gary believes 2015 is an exciting era for the industry and he will be focussing on supporting brokers though their challenges of an evolving regulatory regime and he firmly believes that now is the time to seize the growth opportunities that are presented, by growing together as partners, to grow the businesses together, for sustainable mutual success.