Five years into his property finance career, Jamie Peacham has already experienced two very different lending models. Now, as an Underwriter at Pallas Capital UK, he believes the sweet spot lies somewhere between disciplined credit and genuine relationship banking.
And in today’s crowded market, he’s clear on one thing: product alone isn’t enough.
Jamie began his career in 2019 at West One Loans, working in development finance within a highly structured environment, predominantly focused on projects around the M25.
“It was fast-paced and process-driven. If something landed on your desk, you moved on it immediately. That urgency is something I’ve carried with me.”
A later move to Avamore Capital widened his exposure. Appetite broadened geographically and structurally, giving him experience across more complex deals.
“In hindsight, that year was huge for my development. I saw how to structure outside-the-box transactions and how to balance commerciality with credit discipline.”
Now at Pallas, he sees a blend of both worlds: a competitive product, strong leverage and pricing — paired with experienced sponsors and carefully selected opportunities.
“It feels like the right place at the right time.”
Market observations
Early transactions already reflect the lender’s positioning.
Jamie is currently working on a 60-unit development in Northampton and a 10-house scheme in Wales, alongside other multi-unit projects by established regional developers.
“The quality of borrowers has been strong; experienced sponsors with good track records in their areas.”
He notes that, in the current environment, planning delays remain common. More importantly, he believes there’s a clear appetite among good developers to move forward.
“There’s still a lot of opportunity in the right parts of the market. It’s about backing the right people.”
Bridging the credit–sales gap
If there’s one theme that defines Jamie’s approach, it’s communication.
He’s candid about a longstanding industry issue: the perceived divide between origination and credit.
“Sometimes borrowers feel like the relationship ends when it hits underwriting. That’s where frustration can build.”
His solution is simple: don’t hide behind email.
“If I’m about to send a long list of requirements, I’ll call first. I’ll explain why it’s needed. I’ll walk through it. Then I’ll send it.”
That proactive contact, he says, transforms difficult conversations.
“My job is to guide you through our requirements. With communication, the process becomes much quicker and smoother, and outcomes are optimised.”
It’s an approach designed to remove friction, particularly when structuring adjustments are required—as they often are in cases with several moving parts.
A market paying attention
Jamie reports a tangible reaction to Pallas Capital’s UK launch.
With a broad network across the industry, built during his earlier roles, he describes the response as unusually strong.
“When we launched, everyone was messaging me. ‘Pallas is all anyone’s talking about.’ It was everywhere.”
He believes the timing is significant.
“The market has matured. Bridging and Development Finance have real proof of concept now. So, when an experienced team launches with a strong brand behind it, people take notice.”
But awareness alone doesn’t guarantee retention.
“In this market, lots of lenders have money. What keeps developers and brokers coming back is how they’re treated.
“That’s how you create staying power . . . borrowers come back because they’re looked after.”
He believes underwriting and asset management play as much of a role in that retention as front-end origination.
“If we get the service right across the whole lifecycle—not just at offer stage—that’s how you capture the right part of the market.”
Learning and looking forward
Another reason Jamie joined Pallas was proximity to leadership.
Working closely with senior decision-makers gives him exposure beyond transactional underwriting—something he’s deliberately seeking.
“I’ve always enjoyed being involved in bigger-picture thinking: reporting, strategy, growth ideas. Being in a smaller, ambitious team accelerates that.”
His long-term ambition isn’t just to process deals, it’s to shape how the business grows.
Relationship as a differentiator
For Jamie, the formula for standing out in a competitive lending market isn’t complicated.
“You do business with people you like. Product matters, pricing matters, but relationships are what carry you through when challenges appear.”
At Pallas Capital UK, he believes that philosophy is embedded from launch.
“We’ll win deals because of our people and their relationships. After that, it’s about proving ourselves through execution.”
And in a market that values speed, clarity and trust, that may be the strongest proposition of all.
