Bridge Help

Bridge Help adds to growing team

Chesterfield Champion Bridge Help has added to its growing team with the appointment of Naseer Ahmed as Head of Sales for London and the South East.

Naseer’s appointment at the fast-growing short-term lender is one of a number of regional business development appointments being made by the company in 2021 to meet national demand for its loan products.

Naseer brings 13 years in client relationship management and corporate and commercial banking to his new role at Bridge Help. He boasts 10 years’ experience with major high street banks where he specialised in commercial banking before making the move to the bridging sector in 2019. He joins Bridge Help from TFG Capital Limited and, prior to that, Kuflink.

Explaining what attracted him to the role, he said: “Bridge Help offers a fresh and evolving approach in a saturated market. The company puts relationship-building at the heart of the deal backed by some excellent inhouse systems.”

Welcoming Naseer to Bridge Help, Chief Executive Chris Sellars said: “Naseer’s appointment represents a very important milestone for the business. Our loan book is growing daily and its important to me that we have the right people, like Danny, in place at a regional level to continue to develop solid, long-term relationships with brokers throughout the country. I am confident that Naseer will make significant inroads with brokers in London and the South East.”

Naseer added: “Having recruited teams myself in my previous banking roles I could identify with Chris at interview. He really wanted to get to know me as a person. His passion and vision for the business is very exciting and I am delighted to join the team.”

Outside work, Naseer enjoys spending time with his young family and being outdoors. He has recently taken up fishing despite his dislike of live fishing bait. “I like to push myself out of my comfort zone,” he explained.

Naseer is one of a number of strategic business development appointments that Bridge Help will be making in order to deliver more than £25 million in short-term loans this year.

Brokers and borrowers have not only been attracted by the client-first approach and attractive terms that Bridge Help offers, but also the firm’s dedicated legal and valuation teams which have ensured that property investors have been able to get deals over the line quickly and benefit from the current stamp duty holiday.

To arrange a meeting with Naseer or speak to one of our business development team in your region, contact Bridge Help on 033 3303 4681.

Bridge Help supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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Bridge Help launches new co-funding division

Chesterfield champion and commercial bridging loan company, Bridge Help has launched a new co-funding division of the business.

The new division, Bridge Help Ventures, offers people the opportunity to fund alongside Bridge Help in short-term commercial bridging loans and make attractive returns in a low-risk environment.

Bridge Help Ventures is offering returns of up to 12% and quarterly interest payments to people looking for an alternative to stocks and shares.

Funded by private individuals, Bridge Help has seen a surge in loan applications since the start of the pandemic as major banks and building societies have struggled to react quickly in the fast-moving commercial property market. Bridge Help, however, has been able to turn around loan applications, utilising video conferencing software, in as little as seven days.

The response rate of Bridge Help, which has been praised by brokers and lenders, coupled with global stock market uncertainty and the low interest rates on savings, has created the perfect platform to launch Bridge Help Ventures.

The platform showcases a range of opportunities, including industrial, Buy-to-Let, leisure, offices and retail property, which are open to prospective co-funders. Bridge Help does not offer investment advice, just solid opportunities for those who wish to take them up.

Chief Executive of Bridge Help Chris Sellars explained: “In a fast-moving market, Bridge Help has offered commercial property investors the chance to act decisively. This has led to an increase in applications which we are now in a position to share, via Bridge Help Ventures, with individuals who wish to make significantly increased returns compared to high street lenders.”

Bridge Help Ventures brings private funders alongside Bridge Help to fund a short-term loan, ensuring all interests are aligned and the risk shared. All loans are also backed by Legal Charge over property as well as being guaranteed, in order to give co-funders further peace of mind.

Chris added: “What we have seen in the pandemic is that there are people with money who want to do more with it than simply have it stagnate in a bank account. By the same token, they don’t want to take unnecessary risks and incur the expense and worry that goes hand in hand with the stock market and investment property.

“Bridge Help Ventures is an attractive alternative for savers and investors. We would not ask anyone to put money into something we would not ourselves. Additionally, co-funders do not incur upfront or ongoing investment costs compared to owning their own investment property. Similarly, property is secured against the loan which means, that if the worst happens and the lender defaults on the loan, we can take ownership of the property to recover monies.”

Despite the pandemic, last year saw Bridge Help remain on track with its growth ambitions, recruiting three new team members, approving more than £10 million in UK loans and relocating to larger premises in Chesterfield.

Chris added: “I am very excited for the future of Bridge Help and look forward to welcoming co-funders onboard through Bridge Help Ventures. The current financial climate has shown a very real need for alternative lenders other than high street banks.”

To learn more about Bridge Help Ventures and current available co-funding opportunities, please visit www.bridgehelp.co.uk/co-funding or get in touch by calling 033 3303 4681.

Bridge Help supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

Posted in Business, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Home, UncategorisedTagged in , ,

Chesterfield Champions get into the festive spirit

A number of Chesterfield Champions have been getting into the Christmas spirit this season, whether it’s been through charitable donations, donning those festive jumpers or embellishing their businesses with dazzling decorations..

We’ve been so impressed to see the community spirit well and truly alive here in Chesterfield, despite the challenges posed by covid-19. So we’re showcasing some of our favourite festive stories and photos from our fabulous local businesses!

Wishing all our champions, businesses and residents a Merry Christmas and a happy new year!

Christmas Jumper Day 2020

A number of Chesterfield Champions sent us photos of their teams wearing some truly excellent knitwear on Christmas Jumper Day, which took place on Friday, 11th December in aid of Save the Children. Well done to all those who took part and donated!

Mortgage 1st

The team at Mortgage 1st raised a fabulous £140 for Save The Children by sporting their Christmas jumpers in the office and eating Christmas jumper day cakes!

Salute

Natalia and Daniela from Salute sent us this adorable photo of their little helper getting cosy in one of their jumpers… You can find out more about their Christmas hampers here.

 

Rosewood Wealth Management

Donna, Shannan and Abigail have at Rosewood have certainly been getting into the festive spirit this year! The team have been collecting toys for the Nightingale Ward at Chesterfield Royal Hospital, along with decorating the outside of their business with a fabulous reindeer model… Not forgetting those all-important Christmas jumpers!

Banner Jones Solicitors

We love this collage of Christmas jumpers put together by Banner Jones solicitors! A huge well done to all who got involved…

Charity Appeals and Donations

Many of our Champions have worked hard to ensure those who are less fortunate are able to enjoy Christmas this year. Whether it is collecting toys to help Santa deliver presents to Chesterfield children, or donating to local foodbanks so families are able to enjoy a proper Christmas dinner, Chesterfield’s businesses have shown true community spirit. Here’s a few examples:

Greatest Hits Radio’s toy appeal and festive jingle campaign

The team at Greatest Hits Radio North Derbyshire have been incredibly busy this year. Back in November they launched their Mission Christmas Toy appeal, which has provided gifts for underprivileged children across the region. But they certainly weren’t finished there! Now, the team have launched the Christmas Eve Jingle campaign to raise festive spirits, by asking people to gather on their doorsteps to ring a bell at 6pm for two minutes on Christmas Eve. Find out more here.

Chesterfield FC toy appeal

Chesterfield FC’s Community Trust have been keen to support local residents ever since they took over the ownership of the football club back in the summer. This Christmas has been no exception, with the Spireites collecting hundreds of toys for local children.

Bridge Help Foodbank Appeal

Chesterfield Champions and other local businesses have rallied around the Bridge Help appeal to support Chesterfield Foodbank this Christmas. The company matched all donations of luxury items with essential food, including cereal, long life milk and tinned goods.

Specsavers foodbank donation

The team at Specsavers Chesterfield generously donated supplies to Chesterfield Food Hut this Christmas, along with paying for all of the charity’s costs until February 2021. The money will be put towards covering costs and providing 250 hot meals per week to the most vulnerable in our area.

Central Technology and BRM Solicitors gift Smart TV’s and Netflix licenses to Ashgate Hospicecare

Chesterfield’s Central Technology and BRM Solicitors have generously gifted Ashgate Hospicecare a total of three smart TV’s to help the charity to help upgrade it’s patient rooms and enable patients to view films and TV shows on Netflix.

 

Spreading festive cheer in Chesterfield 

A number of Chesterfield Champions have come up with new and creative ways of bringing people across the town together this year, and there’s still time for you to get involved with some of them!

Spire Radio Christmas Carol singalong

With many Christmas Carol Concerts cancelled this year due to the Coronavirus pandemic, the Middlecroft Community Group have teamed up with Spire Radio to hold a one-off special on Spire Radio on Friday 18th December from 6pm.

Make sure you join the on-air team for some festive fun!

Team spire

Crooked Spire festival of lights

With their regular Christmas schedule disrupted due to the pandemic, the team behind Chesterfield’s most famous landmark have still managed to put together a range of festive features and events this Christmas.

Carol singing will be taking place outside the Church from 1.00pm for 20 minutes each day from the 17th until the 24th December, along with a dazzling display of light being projected onto the spire from the 16th December until the 31st December.

Festive Brass

Dazzling Decorations on Chesterfield’s high-street

Make sure you head into Chesterfield Town Centre to take a look at the wonderful decorations in our local independent shops. And while you’re at it, you could enter the S40 Local Advent Town competition by spotting the numbers of the advent calendar in the windows of some stores!

Here are some of our favourites:

Adorn Jewellers

Fred’s Haberdashery

Shop Indie

Don’t forget you can find out more about local festive events, activities, gift ideas and shopping times over on our Christmas In Chesterfield pages.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Blog, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Featured, Leisure, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Bridge Help invites local businesses to help it support Chesterfield Food Bank this Christmas

Bridge Help is reaching out to Chesterfield Champions and asking them to help it support Chesterfield Food Bank with a little bit of luxury this Christmas.

Until Wednesday 16 December, Bridge Help is inviting local businesses to drop off donations of new and unopened packs of biscuits, chocolates, crisps, mince pies and Christmas cakes and puddings at the firm’s offices on Old Brick Works Lane off Sheffield Road.

Bridge Help will match all donations of luxuries with essential food, including cereal, long life milk and tinned goods, and then deliver everything to the Chesterfield Food Bank warehouse in Sheepbridge in time for Christmas.

December is the busiest time for Food Bank. The Trussell Trust, the UK’s largest network of food banks, expects a 61% increase in the number of food parcels needed this winter.

Chris Sellars, Chief Executive of Bridge Help, explained: “The team and I really wanted to support a charity this Christmas. Given the current economic climate and the predicament many people now find themselves in because of job loss, the Chesterfield Food Bank was the obvious choice for us all. As well as taking care of the necessities, we think it’s important to extend the spirit of Christmas by donating some small luxuries as well.

Chris explained the decision to offer up Bridge Help as a dropping off point for donations from the business community, saying: “With so many businesses working remotely, we hope we can help with their charitable efforts in the community this year by offering Bridge Help as a central dropping point for everyone who’d like to make a donation to Chesterfield Food Bank this year.”

To ensure a Covid-secure and socially-distanced donation, Bridge Help is inviting people to simply call ahead and arrange to drop their donation outside the door. A member of the Bridge Help team will collect the donation and store it safely until we make the drop off to the Chesterfield Food Bank

If you would like to make a donation, please call Phoebe on 0333 303 4681.

For further information about Bridge Help visit www.bridgehelp.co.uk or follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Posted in About Chesterfield, Business, Christmas, Destination Chesterfield, Development, Featured, Home, Leisure, Summer, Uncategorised, VisitingTagged in , , , , , , , ,

Bridge Help brings new talent to bridging finance

Bridge Help’s latest appointment brings new talent to the male-dominated bridging and finance industry.

Phoebe Sellars has been appointed as Business Development and Loan Manager at the Chesterfield-based bridging finance company.

Phoebe brings a background in retail management and law to the brand new role at the company. She was most recently employed in the Wills team at a leading firm of solicitors.

Her interest in and subsequent move to the bridging finance sector has been triggered by her father and chief executive of Bridge Help, Chris Sellars.

She explained: “I was previously working for a legal firm and my role was furloughed during lockdown. During this time I witnessed the fact that the bridging loan industry didn’t stop. It was very much business as usual and deals were still being done and no two days were the same. I loved the proactive and flexible approach to working in the face of adversity. I am a person that likes to be busy and challenged and it was a career move that excited me.”

Within the newly created role, Phoebe will be responsible for building relationships with Bridge Help’s broker and client network as well as managing the company’s loan pipeline.

She added: “I am surrounded by an experienced and knowledgeable team, including the bridging industry stalwart Danny Power. With the business plans we have in place I am excited by what the future holds for both me and Bridge Help.”

Phoebe is one of three new appointments made at the growing firm since the start of the year. The company also made the move to larger premises last month to accommodate its increasing workforce, all of which is instrumental in achieving Bridge Help’s ambitions to achieve a £100 million loan book by 2024.

For further information about Bridge Help visit www.bridgehelp.co.uk or follow the company on Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter.

Bridge Help supports the marketing and economic growth of the town through Chesterfield Champions, a network of over 180 organisations across Chesterfield and North Derbyshire.

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