Meet our Lending Director for Wales, Stephen Ryan
1.What inspired you to pursue a career in property finance, and what led you to join Pluto Finance?
I started in my banking career when I was 17, and just celebrated my 39th year in finance last week, hence the grey hairs!
It wasn’t so much that I was inspired to go into banking, but once I had, I realised it suited me. I’ve always liked numbers, and the relationship building aspect of the job is something I very much enjoy.
I moved from retail banking into corporate, working across London and Cardiff with clients that had property interests and other sectors such as pubs, restaurants and professional practices. Over the last decade, I’ve specialised fully in property finance, and that’s where I’ve found my stride.
I love that, in this industry, you can literally see your work come to life from the ground up. Development finance combines everything I enjoy, working with people, understanding numbers, and finding solutions that make everyone happy. My background in underwriting also means I enjoy really appraising proposals and figuring out how to make them work financially for all stakeholders, but I’m much more about people than spreadsheets.
2.How does Pluto Finance differentiate itself from other lenders in the bridging and development finance sector?
We’re smaller, agile and able to make decisions quickly, which is a huge advantage for our borrowers. At Pluto, as an originator, I can pick up the phone and speak directly to senior leadership, making solutions and problem solving a lot quicker than many competitors.
Our deals are also discussed weekly, with the wider team, so we move fast. That speed matters as quick decisions mean our clients don’t face unnecessary delays or cost increases with contractors. It’s a very hands-on, collaborative approach that gives us a real competitive edge.
3.What do you think are the biggest opportunities for developers in the Welsh property market over the next few years?
In short, Wales offers a strong opportunity for developers, limited supply, steady demand, and modest price growth creating a very favourable environment for well-planned projects.
According to the Welsh Government website, Wales continues to face a significant housing shortage, as they estimate that around 14,000 new homes are needed each year to meet the demand.
The biggest opportunities lie in affordable housing and first-time buyer schemes, along with build-to-rent developments to meet shifting lifestyles.
4.What’s one piece of advice you’d give to brokers and developers seeking funding in the current market?
You should come to us with as much information as you can, and be open and transparent. The more detail we have, the quicker we can give you a decision and a solution.
We pride ourselves on being straightforward and pragmatic so the more you share upfront, the smoother the process will be for everyone.
5.What’s something most people don’t know about Pluto Finance that you wish they did?
We’re building a strong and growing presence in Wales, and that’s something I’m personally proud of.
Our investors, including the Welsh Pension Partnership and other major institutions, are incredibly strong, which underpins everything we do. Around 65% of our business comes from repeat clients, which says a lot about the relationships we’ve built and the trust we’ve earned.
I also don’t think people always realise the wider impact of what we do. Beyond lending and building homes, our developments create jobs and have a real ripple effect in the communities that need them most.
6.If you were not working in specialist finance, what would you be doing?
Probably something football related, such as coaching or analysis, or maybe a chef. Both would keep me busy, creative and working with people, which is what I enjoy most.
7.If you could host a dinner party with three famous figures (past or present), who would they be and why?
Firstly, Billy Connolly, because as a Glaswegian, if Glasgow ever went independent, he would be our leader. Anthony Bourdain, who’d make sure the food was good, and lastly James Gandolfini, because who wouldn’t want a fictional mafia boss at the table!
8.Favourite sport team?
Celtic, undisputed.