What’s your role at Allica Bank and how did you get into banking?
I joined the bank just under nine months ago as a Business Development Manager in commercial mortgages, working closely with brokers and other introducers.
After seeing the impact of the 2008 financial crisis, I became fascinated by the banking sector and knew I wanted to build a career in the City, ideally within a bank. Coupled with my love of property, commercial mortgages couldn't be a better fit.
What I enjoy most about the role is structuring deals and finding solutions that work for everyone involved. I particularly enjoy taking a high-level view, but I’m equally happy getting into the detail when things become complex. There’s a real satisfaction in shaping a deal that both Credit can support and that delivers a strong outcome for the client and the business.
What was your first job?
My very first job was at All Bar One making cocktails which was short lived to say the least, as it only lasted my first weekend at Uni.
I’d just started there when I popped into Vodafone to get a new phone contract. While I was there, they mentioned they had a job going. So, that afternoon, I quit All Bar One, applied for the role, and about a month later I got the job. Safe to say it was a quick career pivot in sales.
How do you work with brokers and what makes it easier when working together?
Honesty and clarity. One of the big advantages of working with brokers is how well they bring everything together early on — you normally get a really clear picture of the financials and the overall deal.
For me, a big part of the relationship is openness. If something doesn’t work, it’s better to call it out early and work through it together rather than skirt around the issue.
Clients know their businesses inside out, and brokers play a key role in pulling that story together in a way that works for everyone. They act as that link between us and the client, helping keep things moving, making sure nothing gets missed, and ultimately getting deals through with much more clarity and efficiency.
What's one of the more interesting deals you’ve seen?
One of my favourite recent deals involved a local business that specialises in insulation procurement and developing new insulation products for the construction sector.
It was actually a case that had been declined by other lenders due to concerns around the quality of security. Before formally submitting it, I spent time reviewing it with one of our underwriters, and we were able to get early buy-in on the basis that part of the funding would go towards enhancing the property.
Having that early support made a big difference — it gave both the broker and the client the confidence that we were serious about progressing the deal, even with a few challenges along the way.
In the end, that confidence really paid off. The client is now looking to move their full banking relationship over to Allica, which is a great outcome.
It was also the broker’s first deal with us, and they’ve said they’ve been really impressed with our willingness to find solutions and get things over the line, which is exactly what we’re about.
What does a typical day look like for you?
Every day has its own twist, but it usually involves a mix of:
- Reviewing new proposals that come in.
- Working through tricky obstacles with Credit Ops and Underwriting.
- Spending time with brokers face-to-face or over the phone.
What advice would you give someone looking to get into a similar role?
Understand how deals are structured and get comfortable with financials.
Yes, the role is primarily sales focused, but understanding the fundamentals of the business makes the rest of the deal structuring much easier. Being able to present something that underwriting feels comfortable with is a huge benefit.
What do you do to switch off?
I like getting out on hiking trips whenever I can. I’m also a big fan of running – it’s a good way to clear your head after a busy day!
What are you most excited for in 2026?
I’ve just passed the eight-month mark since joining the bank, and it’s been a fantastic experience so far. I’m really excited to see how much I can grow over 2026 as I continue building strong relationships with both the team and our brokers.
I’m also starting to put plans together for a big event later in the year, which I’m looking forward to sharing more about when the time comes.
