COFFEE BREAK WITH… Lawrence Roberts, Director – Christie Finance

When did you join Christie Finance?
I joined the Christie Group in November 2017 as a Finance Consultant for Christie Finance.

Where were you when you accepted your role at Christie Finance?
Cape Verde.

What was your first job?
Stacking the bar at a nightclub.

In a couple of sentences, can you tell us a bit about your job at Christie Finance?
I was appointed Director in January 2023, and I am also the Retail lead. My job in simple terms is to speak to clients who want to purchase, refinance, or grow and obtain funding packages that work with their short-term and long-term plans.

What’s your favourite thing about Christie Finance?
For me, it is the people and the different services we can offer to our clients.

What's a favourite project that you’ve worked on at Christie Finance so far?
Project Vale with James Moore-Martin and Andrew Birnie. Not the largest deal I have been involved in, but one that was interesting, challenging and the funding package I obtained was very unique and competitive.

What’s been the biggest challenge of your career so far?
I think it would have to be moving from banking to brokering. There are a lot of similarities, however there are a lot of differences. It can take a while to transition, but I am glad that I did and the group has a wealth of experience, so I have learnt more in the last 5-6 years here than I did in the last 15 years with a high street lender.

What’s been a highlight of your career so far?
A highlight for me was being promoted from Finance Consultant to Associate Director and then Director, in the space of 5 years.

How has the industry changed since you started at Christie Finance?
The industry has changed significantly, and we are seeing that more clients choose to use a broker due to the amount of choice that is out there, from not only your traditional lenders but others who have entered into the lender market.

Who in your industry do you feel most inspired by?
There are too many to name. I am a firm believer that you learn every day from experienced and inexperienced professionals in your line of work. I am fortunate to have a great team and colleagues across the group who have inspired me for many reasons.

Tell us a bit about your life outside work – what are your hobbies?
I am a passionate Newcastle United supporter, I produce music, and recently ventured into singing and working on an album. Apart from that I do love a round of golf and I am trying to get fit and healthy by playing in a Man vs Fat football league.

What’s your hometown? Where do you live now?
My hometown is Birmingham, but I now live in Stourbridge.

Where’s the best place you’ve been on holiday?
Really difficult to answer as I have loved most, if not all, the places I have been to. If I judge it on an overall basis, I would say Dubai; pure luxury, amazing sites, great people and the weather is hot hot hot!

What’s your biggest pet peeve?
People who don’t say it as it is!

If you could live and work in any city, where would you go?
Live – Any Greek Island. Work – Australia.

What would be your desert island meal?
Curry goat and rice and peas!!

What’s your favourite film?
Any Marvel film or Happy Gilmore.

What is your favourite movie quote?
‘I make grave mistakes all the time. Everything seems to work out.’ – Thor Ragnarök 2017.

What is one thing on your bucket list?
To be in the crowd watching Newcastle lift a major trophy.

What is your biggest fear?
Sunderland making it to the Premiership.

What news source do you read every day?
BBC, NACFB, News Feed on iPhone.

What’s your social media platform of choice?
Facebook or LinkedIn, depending on what I am using it for.

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