Imperial Blue was founded by brothers Tom and James Harries post-crash to provide capital to property developers when banks weren’t lending. Based on Upper Brook Street in Mayfair, the niche boutique now offers debt structuring, lending and an investment platform that has successfully provided funding for projects in excess of £500 million across the bridging, development, mezzanine and equity sectors.
A small company backed mostly by HNW investors, Imperial Blue doesn’t struggle to move quickly. ‘We are notoriously quick, often giving terms within hours,’ says Tom Harries. ‘This is because firstly we are largely backed by high-net-worth investors and there is no credit committee that meets once a week, and secondly we are a small, dynamic team that doesn’t have the layers of bureaucracy many other companies do. Thus we can make decisions on the spot.’
Aside from a slowdown in sales and growth because of stamp duty rises, the market is a positive place as far as the brothers are concerned.
‘I believe Brexit will prove to be a fly in the ointment and that the current climate provides more opportunities than hindrances for developers and funders alike,’ says Tom. ‘The private funding market grew because of a crash and therefore is perfectly placed to deal with this situation.’
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