West One Loans has merged its bridging and development finance arms into one short-term lending division to offer a more integrated solution to property developers and investors.
The move aims to allow West One to take a more joined-up view across projects and to offer brokers and their clients a smoother customer journey.
In practice, it means the process of switching between the two products will easier for West One clients.
West One has invested in its bridging and development finance teams in 2024, growing headcount by 14% and 30%, respectively.
Last year, West One’s bridging and development finance divisions together achieved more than £1bn in completions, exceeding the target set at the start of the year.
The combined division will be jointly led by Tom Cantor, head of bridging finance, and Guy Murray, head of development finance, as co-heads of short-term lending.
Murray said: “This move is a game-changer for our short-term lending proposition.
“By bringing our bridging and development finance teams into one business unit, we’re able to offer a truly integrated solution that’s tailored to the unique needs of individual clients.
“Switching products or lenders half-way through a project can be challenging and time-consuming.
“With our new combined solution, that’s no longer a concern, as we can take them from start to finish with just a single application.”
Cantor added:”This move is all about making the lives of brokers and their clients easier by providing them with a one-stop shop solution for their short-term borrowing needs.
“Under the new structure, they can expect faster decisions and more flexibility throughout their project. It’s all about delivering a service that truly understands and supports their ambitions.”
Danny Waters, CEO of Enra Specialist Finance, West One Loans’ parent company, said: “Our bridging and development finance divisions have consistently exceeded expectations, achieving record completions in 2023 despite a challenging market.
“But while they are performing at a high-level individually, we believe combining their expertise into one business unit will enhance our short-term lending proposition even further.
“This merger is about creating greater scale, stronger resilience and more cohesive management – all aimed at delivering an even better service for our customers.”
