10 Questions with Stephen Wasserman of West One Loans
He's the co-founder of West One and still finds the time to indulge in writing as a hobby...
Katie-Jill Rowland speaks to Stephen Wasserman, Director of West One Loans...
1. How long have you been at West One Loans?
I co-founded West One with Duncan Kreeger in 2007.
2. What did you do before?
After finishing university in 2005, I initially worked for GlaxoSmithKline. After saving up enough money, I went travelling and worked for Aon in Australia for a while reconciling the superannuation account.
3. What did you want to be when you were younger?
I used to enjoy creative writing and actually wanted to be a film script writer.
B&C:That’s very different from finance... do you miss writing?
Well, I write as a hobby, so I still get a lot of pleasure from it.
4. If you could do anything this weekend what would it be?
I’d probably go scuba diving.
B&C: Did you do a lot of that in Oz?
Yes, in fact I bought a van in Australia and drove all along the coast, stopping off at various places to dive. I also went diving in Sharm el Sheikh.
5. What is the best aspect of your job? and what’s the worst?
The best has to be working with brokers. I’ve got a lot of good friends within the industry and working with them regularly is a real pleasure.
B&C :And the worst part of your job?
Admin!... Doing it and checking it.
6. If you could choose an alternative career what would it be?
I’d probably be a footballer, not because I’m very good at football, but because footballer have the best lifestyles. They work for half a day and then live like royalty.
7. Where’s your favourite place in the world?
New Zealand. I spent a month there while I was travelling and the place is immensely beautiful, it’s also great for adventure activities.
B&C: That sounds a little scary, what sort of activities?
Sky-diving, white water rafting, climbing.
8. If you could swap lives with one person for a day who would it be?
Gareth Bale from Spurs.
9. What would you put in room 101 if you had the chance?
The Jubilee line! I don’t use the tube much but whenever I do there is always something wrong with it.
10. What do you expect to happen in the short term lending industry over the next 12 months?
I think it is likely that we will see a few new lenders enter the bridging market and I think brokers will become more aware of the benefits of bridging.
I don’t expect the wider lending industry to ease their tight lending criteria at this stage and consequently bridging will continue to prosper.
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