New trade association launched for bridging finance

A new trade association has been launched, called the Association of Bridging Professionals (AOBP).
 
Formed out of an increasing need to provide the sector with a unified voice, AOBP will act as a trade body to help promote a better operating environment in the bridging finance sector, while providing essential information and industry analysis to its members.
 
The association is chaired by one of the industry’s most respected figures, Sidney Cohen, who has been active in financial services for over 30 years.
 
He said: “Every now and then an idea comes to you that is so simple, yet so valuable, that it leaves you thinking, ‘Why didn’t I come up with that sooner?’
 
“AOBP is such an idea. Its launch will see a huge benefit to both introducers and bridging lenders. I say this because bridging finance is perhaps the only truly bespoke loan facility available.

“It is this very factor that creates the need for introducers to have an organisation like AOBP to look after their interests, lobby on their behalf and provide a central point for them to seek advice and, if necessary, mediate with the lenders.”
 
AOBP has an executive committee consisting of: Sidney Cohen; Lucy Barrett of W&B Mortgage Solutions; Ray Cohen, independent compliance expert; Miranda Khadr of M K Associates; Jonathan Newman of Brightstone Law; James Rainbird of Pink Pig Loans; Craig Scott of Commercial 1; Danny Waters of Enterprise Finance; and Alun Winter of Intelligent Loans. 
 
There are main three types of membership available, with membership starting from just £20, in order to encourage recruitment.