In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus sits down with Kunal Mehta, Managing Director of SDKA, to talk about his journey from airline captain to running one of the UK’s leading bridging lenders.

Before entering property finance, Kunal spent over 15 years as a pilot with Emirates. That experience, operating in a high-pressure, precision-led environment, now shapes how he approaches risk, decision-making and service in the world of bridging.

A practical, straight-talking episode for brokers, property professionals and anyone working in specialist lending.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

• How aviation discipline and decision-making translate into lending
• Why precision and risk management matter in bridging finance
• How the bridging market has evolved in recent years
• The growing demand for semi-commercial and flexible funding solutions
• Why service and relationships still drive long-term success

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus is joined by Dan Kendrick, a well-known and well-respected voice in business development across specialist lending.

Dan shares his journey through financial services, starting out in smaller, less glamorous parts of the market and learning the ropes the hard way. From early roles focused on modest loan sizes to building long-term relationships in a crowded lending landscape, Dan explains why persistence, communication and genuine effort still matter more than talent alone.

The conversation covers the realities of being a BDM today — from standing out when brokers are overwhelmed with choice, to handling rejection, pressure, and constant change in the market. Dan also talks openly about the impact of COVID on lending, how he adapted, and why leaning into relationships rather than hiding behind process made the difference.

Along the way, Marcus and Dan discuss what separates good BDMs from great ones, why belief in your product is essential, and how clear, honest communication builds trust that lasts.

A straight-talking episode for anyone working in business development, lending, or looking to build a long-term career in financial services.

What you’ll hear in this episode:

- Why hard work often beats natural talent in business development
- How early, unglamorous roles can shape long-term success
- The importance of persistence without becoming a nuisance
- Why communication beats hiding behind emails
- How strong relationships are built and maintained over time

If you like this episode, don’t forget to tag NRG when you share it!

For more visit: www.nrg-resourcing.co.uk

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus sits down with Rebecca Lewis, Group Director at Affinity, to talk about what credibility really looks like in specialist finance — and how you actually build it over time.

Rebecca shares her journey into financial services, starting at the very bottom and learning the business properly before moving into more complex lending.

They discuss why understanding the foundations matters, how making mistakes plays a big part in earning trust, and why experience often counts for more than job titles.

The conversation also covers relationship-building in a people-led industry, the role social media plays in building professional credibility, and why being consistent and authentic matters more than chasing quick wins.

Rebecca offers honest advice for anyone building a long-term career in finance, including the traits that really make a difference and how to stay grounded in an industry that’s constantly evolving.

A relaxed, straight-talking episode focused on experience, trust, and doing the job well.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

Getting started in financial services isn’t always straightforward.

Titles are unclear, career paths aren’t linear, and most people don’t really know what “good” looks like in their first few years.

In this Best Of NRG Insights episode, Marcus Nanson brings together voices from four professionals who are rising fast in specialist finance...

George Sanford
Lloyd Whiting
Chris Grant
Calean Gokani

They share what they’ve learned while breaking into the industry, figuring things out on the job, and building credibility without years of experience behind them.

This episode focuses on the practical realities of starting out in finance, not theory, hype, or polished career stories.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why mentorship matters early on, and how to find it informally
  
  
• How clear communication builds confidence and trust faster than jargon
  
  
• What young professionals often misunderstand about careers in finance
  
  
• Why asking questions early can save years of mistakes
  
  
• How continuous learning and adaptability shape long-term progression
  
  

If you’re new to financial services, considering a move into the industry, or still finding your feet in your first few roles, this episode offers grounded advice from people only a few steps ahead of you.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post.

For more visit: www.nrg-resourcing.co.uk

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

Markets don’t always reward scale, speed, or process. Sometimes they reward judgement, experience, and knowing when to change course.

In this episode of NRG Insights, Marcus sits down with Stephen Johnson, founding partner at 9Y Capital, to talk about what lending really looks like when conditions tighten and certainty disappears.

Stephen has spent more than two decades in property finance, lending through booms, downturns, and full market freezes. From pioneering commercial mortgage securitisation at Commercial First, to helping build Shawbrook Bank through to IPO, and now operating a boutique lender focused on judgement over volume, his career offers a rare through-the-cycle perspective.

Rather than focusing on products or predictions, this conversation looks at how lenders actually adapt when the environment turns against them.

In this episode, we cover:

• What breaks first when markets tighten
• Why rigid lending models struggle under pressure
• How experience changes the way risk is assessed
• The trade-off between scale and control
• Why relationship-led lending matters more in tough markets
• What founders and lenders often misunderstand about resilience and timing

This episode is for lenders, brokers, investors, and founders who want a clearer view of how decisions are made when conditions are difficult — and why some businesses survive while others don’t.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

The first working days of the year are often when people pause and take stock.

What worked. What didn’t. And what they want this year to look like.

In this Best Of episode of NRG Insights, we’ve brought together practical advice and honest reflections from across the financial services industry, focused on what actually matters as you head into a new year.

Rather than predictions or trends, this episode is about fundamentals: how people approach their careers, navigate change, stay resilient when markets tighten, and keep momentum when things don’t go to plan.

The conversations feature insights from Ash Borland, Billie Cox, Hirsche Hughes, William Lloyd, George Ormerod, and Jonathan Sealey, each bringing a different perspective from their own corner of financial services.

Whether you’re starting the year with clear goals, or still figuring out what needs to change, this episode is designed to give you grounded thinking you can carry into the months ahead.

In this super short episode, you’ll hear about:

• How to approach a new year without burning out early
• Why adaptability matters more than certainty in financial services
• The habits that quietly separate long-term performers from short-term wins
• How to learn from mistakes without letting them stall progress
• Why resilience, consistency, and self-awareness still outperform hype

Subscribe to NRG Insights for weekly conversations with leaders in specialist finance, mortgages, and property lending.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

For more visit: www.nrg-resourcing.co.uk

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

Careers in financial services rarely follow a straight line.

In this Best Of episode of NRG Insights, we bring together standout moments from four conversations that show how people actually find their way in the industry — often by accident, necessity, or saying yes to the wrong job before it turns out to be the right one.

Featuring Nick Hilton, Ashley Ilsen, David Weir, and Anastasia Ttofis, this compilation explores how very different starting points can lead to long-term success in finance, from bridging and development lending to banking and specialist legal services.

Across these clips, we talk about timing, risk, career pivots, and what happens when the market changes faster than your plans. There’s no blueprint, no polished career ladder — just honest reflections on what helped these individuals progress, adapt, and build meaningful careers in financial services.

If you’re early in your career, considering a move, or simply reassessing where you want to go next, this episode offers real perspective from people who’ve already navigated the uncertainty.

In this episode, you’ll hear about:

• Why most careers in finance start by accident
• The value of saying yes to opportunities you didn’t plan for
• Switching industries and starting again
• How timing and market shifts create unexpected openings
• Why resilience and curiosity matter more than a perfect CV

Listen now and explore how different paths can still lead to success in financial services.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.

As 2025 comes to a close, the role of the Business Development Manager continues to change. Markets are tighter, expectations are higher, and relationships matter more than ever. In this special NRG Insights compilation, we look ahead to 2026 and break down what genuinely separates strong BDMs from the rest.

This episode brings together insights from Jez Quinn, Dan Narwal, Andy Reid, and Will Calito, each offering a grounded perspective based on real experience in specialist finance.

Rather than focusing on scripts, targets, or surface-level tactics, the conversation looks at the behaviours and mindset that will define successful BDMs in the years ahead.

Caring Beyond Performance

Jez Quinn explains why genuine care still sits at the top of the list. Not just caring about personal numbers, but about brokers, clients, and the wider business. Skills can be taught, but commitment, pride, and ownership cannot. In a market where trust is hard won, this mindset becomes a competitive advantage.

Adaptability and Relationship Depth

Dan Narwal highlights the importance of staying adaptable in a specialist market that changes quickly. Criteria shifts, deal structures evolve, and no two cases look the same. The best BDMs stay ahead by understanding nuance, communicating clearly, and building relationships that last beyond individual transactions.

Resilience in a Demanding Market

Andy Reid focuses on resilience. Rejection, delays, and pressure are part of the job, and without resilience, consistency is impossible. The BDMs who last are those who can take setbacks in stride, keep perspective, and show up the same way regardless of market conditions.

Thinking Long-Term

Will Calito brings a broader view shaped by development and lending experience. He stresses the importance of looking beyond short-term wins and thinking in years, not months. Strong BDMs understand where their role fits into a longer journey for brokers, clients, and themselves.

Looking Ahead to 2026

Across all four perspectives, one theme is clear: the future of the BDM role is human. Technical knowledge matters, but attitude, judgement, and relationships matter more. As the industry moves into 2026, the BDMs who thrive will be those who combine commercial awareness with consistency, care, and credibility.

Whether you’re early in your career or already established, this episode offers a practical reset on what really counts in business development going forward.

If you like this episode, don’t forget to share and tag NRG in your post and let us know what you liked so we can record more fantastic content for you.