"There has been much comment and many questions regarding where the ASTL goes from here and what direction it will take with a new chief executive at the helm.
"Last week, my first week working for the association, the ASTL held both a general meeting of members and a meeting of the executive committee; both were good meetings with lively discussion about the past and the future of the association, and they gave me an opportunity to meet new people as well as those that I’ve known for many years.
"These meetings are an excellent forum for members to air their views and resolve issues. The meetings were well attended and the membership represents a good cross-section of the bridging finance industry.
"The members welcomed me to my new appointment and thanked my predecessor for his valuable services to the association. I’m very much looking forward to the challenge of taking the association forward in this environment of ever-increasing regulation.
PREMATURE
"It’s premature for me to make any comments and proposals before I’ve met all the members, so in order to ensure that the ASTL meets the needs of members and associate members, I am meeting individually with members throughout July and August to hear what they want from the ASTL and their ideas regarding its structure and purpose. I will analyse all the responses and will then put forward my proposals to the new executive committee for approval.
"The term of the present executive committee is coming to an end. Nominations for the new executive committee are currently being sought; members can nominate themselves or any other member they feel would benefit the ASTL and I would urge anyone who feels that they would like to contribute to the future success of the ASTL to put their name forward. The nominations will then be voted on by the members and the new executive committee should be in place by early August.
"Once all of that is in place we will be launching a new website later in the year to provide more information to members, potential members, the wider lending and broking community and consumers. The website will highlight the objectives and purpose of the ASTL.
"Times are tough and finance is hard to come by.
"Bridging is an important financial tool and ASTL members provide a valuable service to both homeowners and property investors.
"The sector is unfortunately misunderstood and underappreciated by some and the ASTL has an important part to play in correcting past misconceptions."
