Cohen had been working full time in the short term finance industry since 1998, firstly with Cheval then later as a consultant for Masthaven Bridging Finance. He was also the first chairman of the Association of Bridging Professionals.
Benson Hersch, chief exectuive of the Association of Short Term Lenders, led the tributes.
“The members of the ASTL and I personally, were very sad to hear of the passing of Sidney Cohen this morning,” he said.
“I knew Sidney for 15 years. He was a great character who played a pivotal role in the bridging industry for many years. He will be very sadly missed by all who knew him. Sidney was always a larger than life character, he loved the industry and was still working almost until the day that he died.”
Andrew Bloom, managing director at Masthaven Finance with whom Sidney Cohen worked until recently, added: “I have had the pleasure of working with Sidney Cohen for the past six years.
“It has been a privilege to learn so much about the bridging market from a man who has been so intimately involved in the birth and development of what is now such a thriving sector of the lending market.
“All of us at Masthaven will miss him as a colleague and a friend. I would like to pass on my condolences to Sidney’s family on behalf of everyone at Masthaven.”
