Five Minutes With
ive F Minutes with: Andy Smith Andy Smith Relationship Director CAF Bank Describe your role in ten words or less? Supporting property developers and social projects with much needed finance.
How do you make a difference? I listen to clients and brokers and use my 30+ years of banking experience to shape requirements into proposals that work for both bank and client and have the best chance of success.
In your view what are the key elements to a successful deal? When planning for any project it is vital to ensure that there is sufficient scope for contingencies for rising costs. Particularly in the current uncertain climate, costs rise and unless this is allowed for then problems can escalate.
What’s the most common reason for turning away a deal? The greatest barrier to a viable deal is unrealistic expectations of how much financial input will be required from the client. 54 | NACFB
If you were to start your own small business, what would it sell? I have a deep passion for watching motorsport having seen everything from F1 to lawn mower racing so it would have to be related to that. I particularly look forward to my annual pilgrimage to the Le Mans 24 hour race so linking in with that would be awesome.
What is your favourite SME success story? In an earlier role, I dealt with a small business owner whose business grew rapidly and he quickly recognised that he was practical rather than managerial so took the unusual step of employing a manager to oversee the business and manage him while remaining on the tools! The business thrived and I always respected the client for recognising his own skills and limitations.
What was the last great book you read? Strange choice this but Psycho the Stuart Pearce autobiography! Being in my
twenties during the period of the 90s and particularly spending far too much time in a pub watching football during Euro 96, his dedication and desire to do his best from humble roots was an inspiration to me and I’ve read that book several times (usually on a sun lounger!).
Where is your favourite place in the world? Brisbane Road, the home of Leyton Orient football club. As a third generation supporter and season ticket holder, I have experienced pretty much every possible emotion whilst at the ground. Watching lower league football provides a great connection to your club and its players and whether things are going well or, more usually, not, arriving at the ground always feels like arriving home.
What is the best live music experience you’ve ever had? Seeing Paul Weller at V96 in Hylands Park, Chelmsford was fantastic! I’ve seen him several times since but that was my first festival and holds special memories for me.
