Mortgage Soup fires the questions at Christina Gamble, investment relations manager at Alternative Bridging Corporation.
Mortgage Soup (MS): You’ve recently celebrated an incredible 25 years at Alternative Bridging Corporation! Can you tell us a bit about your role as investment relations manager and what your day-to-day responsibilities involve?
Christina Gamble (CG): My role is all about looking after our private investors, who form part of our diverse funding strategy. I work closely with these investors, raising funds when needed, and making sure those relationships stay strong over the long term.
Alternative Bridging Corporation has a mix of institutional and private investors, which gives us the flexibility to offer a wide range of finance solutions. Private investors are still a hugely important part of what we do, and a big part of my job is making sure they feel confident in us and the opportunities we offer.
MS: What first attracted you to Alternative Bridging Corporation, and what’s kept you engaged for 25 years?
CG: I joined so long ago that I can’t even remember exactly what drew me in at first! What I do know is that I’ve stayed because the company has evolved so much over the years, and my role has grown along with it.
When I first started, we were a much smaller business, but over time, we’ve transformed into one of the most established lenders in the specialist property finance sector. My role has constantly changed and adapted, which has kept things interesting. No two days are ever the same, and that’s what I love about it.
MS: How has your role changed since you first joined Alternative Bridging Corporation?
CG: When I started at 21, I didn’t have a clear career path, but Alternative Bridging Corporation gave me the opportunity to learn and develop. I’ve had the chance to work in different areas of the business, which has really helped me understand how specialist finance works from both the lending and investment sides.
As the company has grown, my role has shifted towards managing investor relationships. Our funding structure has evolved too—today, we’re primarily institutionally funded, but our private investors are still a core part of what we do. That shift has brought more complexity to my role, but it’s also made it even more interesting.
MS: Reflecting on your time at Alternative Bridging Corporation, what are you most proud of?
CG: On a personal level, I’m really proud of the journey I’ve been on. I started with no clear direction, and Alternative Bridging Corporation has shaped me into the professional I am today.
From a company perspective, I’m proud of how much we’ve grown to become a leading specialist lender, and we’ve navigated some huge industry changes along the way. It’s been amazing to be part of that journey and to see how far we’ve come.
MS: The specialist property finance market has changed so much over the years. How has that impacted your role?
CG: It’s changed dramatically! When I first started, bridging finance was quite a niche market, and private investors were the main source of funding. Now, the market has expanded massively, and institutional funding plays a much bigger role.
At Alternative Bridging Corporation, we’ve had to evolve with those changes. Today, we combine institutional and private funding to make sure we can offer competitive finance solutions while still maintaining flexibility. For me, that’s meant a greater focus on managing investor relationships, ensuring our funding structures keep up with market demand, and navigating the increasing complexities of compliance and regulation.
MS: What have been some of the biggest challenges the industry has faced during your time at Alternative Bridging Corporation?
CG: Like any business, we’ve had our fair share of challenges. The biggest lesson we’ve learned is the importance of adaptability.
The 2008 financial crisis was a huge moment for the industry. We had to rethink how we operated, and that’s when bridging finance really became the heart of our business. More recently, the COVID-19 pandemic created a lot of uncertainty, but thanks to our strong funding relationships and experienced team, we were able to keep moving forward.
One thing I’ve always valued about Alternative Bridging Corporation is our ability to pull together as a team. No matter what challenges we face, we find solutions and come out stronger.
MS: How has Alternative Bridging Corporation evolved as a company since you first joined?
CG: It’s a completely different business from when I first joined in 2000. Back then, we were primarily a brokerage, but over time, bridging lending became our main focus, and we’ve grown into leading specialist property finance provider. We now offer a wide range of property finance solutions, including residential and commercial bridging loans, development finance, and specialist products like our Alternative Overdraft and Alternative Term Loan. We lend to brokers, developers, investors, and business owners, providing tailored solutions to help them achieve their financial goals.
It’s been incredible to watch that growth and to be part of a company that’s always looking ahead and adapting to the market.
MS: What’s the most rewarding part of working in property finance, particularly at Alternative Bridging Corporation?
CG: Without a doubt, it’s the relationships. I love working with people, whether it’s investors, colleagues, or clients. Some of our investors have been with us for years, and it’s incredibly rewarding to build those long-term relationships.
I also think what we do makes a real impact. Whether it’s helping an investor find the right opportunity or providing the finance a borrower needs to make a project happen, there’s a real sense of purpose in what we do.
MS: What advice would you give to someone just starting out in the property finance industry?
CG: Be curious and don’t be afraid to ask questions. No one expects you to know everything from day one, but if you’re willing to learn and put in the effort, you’ll go far.
Property finance is an industry that rewards hard work and relationship-building. If you take the time to understand the market, build strong connections, and stay open to new opportunities, you can have a really fulfilling career.
MS: What do you think the next five to ten years will look like for specialist property finance?
CG: Technology will continue to play a big role in making processes more efficient, but one thing that won’t change is the importance of relationships.
Property finance will always be about people. Lenders need to be responsive, flexible, and able to look at each case individually. That’s always been a key part of what we do at Alternative Bridging Corporation, and I don’t see that changing anytime soon.
