From the Tennis Court to Credit Analysis:
Sheil Kotecha, one of Novellus’ recent graduate hires explains about his journey with Novellus so far
My high school years were shaped by balancing competitive tennis with academics. After completing my A-Levels, I spent two years on the Professional Tennis Futures Tour with aspirations of building a career in the sport. However, when Covid-19 struck in early 2020, my focus shifted to higher education and subsequently to pursue a career in finance.
At Loughborough University, where I studied economics and finance, I discovered that the competitive drive cultivated throughout my years in professional sport would benefit me in a career in finance. During my placement year and final year, I pursued the CFA program alongside my degree, where I developed a particular interest in lending. My interest in the alternative lending market was piqued by the sector’s decade-long growth trajectory and I was keen to learn more.
I was introduced to Add-Victor, a recruitment platform specialising in connecting high performing athletes and military personnel with corporate opportunities. In my final year I was notified about an opportunity to apply for a graduate position at Novellus, which operates in the UK and Ireland, offering alternative funding solutions to that of the mainstream banks, secured primarily by real estate.
The interview process was thorough and refreshing, with Novellus’ founder and CEO, Billy McManus, personally communicating his corporate vision for Novellus and explaining Novellus’ engagement with sport and the company’s exciting growth potential (more of which can be read in Billy’s blog here).
I was thrilled to be one of 3 graduates to be offered a full-time role at Novellus and I joined the credit team in September 2024, based in our London office in Bromley. My role is multifaceted and includes assisting with the review and appraisal of new enquiries, and covenant management in relation to our existing UK and Irish loan books. Helping to manage a credit portfolio demands meticulous attention to detail and strategic foresight to anticipate and mitigate potential risks that could impact the loans. These are invaluable skills that I am grateful to be developing.
Regular engagement with customers, brokers and introducers is an aspect of the role I find particularly rewarding, and exposure to the various property types and lending structures has broadened my understanding of the alternative lending sector. If you are interested in a deeper dive into the alternative lending landscape in the UK, I highly recommend reading the comprehensive analysis by our Head of UK Bridging, Adam Forman (here).
Looking ahead, it’s encouraging to see Novellus’s commitment to diverse talent acquisition and the Add-Victor graduate programme is now being extended to our Dublin office, with the focus on recruiting a cohort of graduates to join our Irish business.
On a personal level, I am excited to contribute to the continued growth of the business whilst ensuring that we continue to support and manage our existing portfolio. At Novellus, we always adopt a sensible approach to lending and our senior underwriter, Sam Kemp, has written a great article here outlining our criteria and approach to underwriting in detail.
As Novellus continues to grow, I’m looking forward to what lies ahead for me at the company, and I am eager to continue growing both professionally and personally.
If you are looking for fast and flexible funding, please feel free to reach out with your requirements and we will be happy to appraise.
