Mortgage Soup fires the questions at Jaxon Stevens, relationship director at ASG Finance.

Mortgage Soup (MS):  What does your role at ASG Finance entail?

Jaxon Stevens (JS): As the relationship director at ASG Finance, my role focuses on building and maintaining strong connections with brokers and clients.

I oversee the strategic direction of our broker partnerships, ensuring we deliver tailored short-term commercial finance solutions. This involves understanding the unique needs of our clients, supporting brokers with their more complex cases, and ensuring smooth communication throughout the lending process.

I’m particularly passionate about helping brokers navigate more challenging commercial finance opportunities, ensuring their clients receive the best outcomes.

“We thrive on tackling the challenging cases that others shy away from”

MS: What sets ASG Finance apart in the market?

JS: Our niche focus on commercial lending is what truly sets us apart. While many lenders operate in the residential space, we’ve carved out a specialisation in more complex commercial finance, including loans for unique assets! We thrive on tackling the challenging cases that others shy away from.

Another key differentiator is our relationship-led approach. We insist on site visits to understand the assets and build trust with both brokers and clients. This hands-on involvement ensures that we don’t just provide funding but also become a trusted partner throughout the process. We also work closely with brokers to plan robust exit strategies, ensuring borrowers are set up for long-term success.

MS: What types of clients and projects do you work with?

JS: We’re specialists in short-term commercial finance, and our client base reflects that. From landlords diversifying into commercial spaces to business owners acquiring or enhancing unique properties, our clients often come to us with projects that require creative funding solutions.

Recent cases include financing for a long standing customer’s commercial property portfolio, and a car park near Heathrow. These projects often involve restructuring leases or upgrading assets to generate higher returns. We also see demand from brokers whose clients are stepping into the commercial space for the first time—helping them navigate this new territory is something we excel at.

“Many of the brokers we work with may not have extensive experience in commercial lending, so we’re happy to guide them through the process”

MS: How do you support brokers?

JS: We believe in making brokers’ lives as easy as possible. Many of the brokers we work with may not have extensive experience in commercial lending, so we’re happy to guide them through the process. We encourage open dialogue and often step in to communicate directly with clients to ensure smooth transactions.

Our team is highly proactive in helping brokers understand the market and opportunities available, from plan A to plan C exit strategies. We also offer insights into potential term lending options post-completion, ensuring that brokers have all the tools they need to support their clients.

MS: Are there any trends or opportunities in commercial lending that brokers should be aware of?

JS: One key trend is the increasing interest in semi-commercial and commercial assets from landlords traditionally focused on residential properties. These clients are chasing higher yields and longer-term tenant strategies.

We also see significant opportunities in restructuring and enhancing commercial properties—whether it’s upgrading leases, improving lettability, or making properties more saleable. Brokers can add real value by presenting these options to their clients and working with lenders like us to bring them to fruition.

MS: 2024 is drawing to a close. What’s next for ASG Finance in 2025?

JS: Growth is our primary focus. We’re deploying our own capital while preparing to bring in additional funding lines from recognised sources. However, we’re taking a measured approach, ensuring our internal processes are robust before scaling up. Brand awareness is also a priority—we want brokers to think of ASG Finance as the go-to lender for unusual or complex commercial cases.

In 2025, we plan to grow our team and strengthen our relationships with brokers, all while continuing to create innovative lending solutions that cater to the varied needs of the commercial market.

MS: Any final message for brokers?

JS: Bring us your challenging cases! Whether it’s an unusual asset or a complex commercial deal, we thrive on finding solutions. At ASG Finance, we’re here to help brokers succeed by turning unique opportunities into reality. Our team is ready to work collaboratively and deliver tailored outcomes that benefit both brokers and their clients.