Denny Lane & Craig Dempster

Denny Lane & Craig Dempster-Future Finance

So, how did this business opportunity come about for you?
Having both served our time in the banking world and endured the difficulties of the credit crunch we realised that it was becoming increasingly difficult to service the requirements of our local individual clients and businesses.  These were clients we had dealt with for many years and that had impeccable credit histories but still found it challenging to secure credit facilities.  This was due to the majority of corporate lending institutions being forced to take a “non local” view, effectively putting to one side the relationship and taking a “tick box” approach.
This was frustrating and far from how we perceived the industry should operate.  Whilst we always establish a strong credit profile, we place a great emphasis on building long term relationships

What did you do prior to starting this business?
We have both been involved in finance for many years
 
Did that teach you any lessons that helped you succeed?
Overall it was an enlightening experience and it has taught us a lot of good and bad.  We have endeavoured to take all the positive points and overlay them with the Future ethos, which is a very different approach.
 
What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learned since starting the business?
We started the business in the “eye of the storm”, friends and colleagues stated that in the current climate we were either very brave or very stupid.  We very quickly learned that you must dedicate yourself to the business, look to grow conservatively, apply yourself to all areas and above all consider every decision thoroughly before you make them.  We are very fortunate to have such a loyal client base and supportive network of intermediaries which has made the whole process far easier.
 
What separates you from your competitors?
We invited some key clients to the Good Wood revival festival, which encourages everyone to participate in period costumes, to get into the spirit of the occasion. Unfortunately we ordered the costumes without checking them prior to leaving and much to the amusement of our clients and the tens of thousands of people at the event, we got the decade slightly wrong and ended up looking like a cross between a barbers’ quartet and traditional butchers!  

What’s the hardest lesson you’ve learnt since starting out?
We are very fortunate at Future to have developed strong local relationships and now also have key individuals involved in the group, who are extremely supportive and are continuing to help guide us along the way.  Our aim is to continue to develop the three businesses whilst keeping local relationships at the core of everything we do.  We are committed to recruit locally, our profits to be retained locally and re-invested and continue to support local individuals and businesses now and in the long term.
 
What are your plans for the future?
Eat, sleep and work your business.  You have to be fully committed and very passionate about it to succeed, understand why you are doing it and accept there are highs and lows. There is never a perfect time to start. If you work hard enough you will always get out what you put in.

About the business
Future Finance was formed in February 2009, this was followed by the launch of Future Loans and then more recently Future Invoice Finance, the companies collectively form the Future Group. All of the businesses are in the lending business albeit in different sectors of the market. Future Finance provides private mortgages, development funding, high level corporate funding and competitive mainstream funding. In the current market Funding of any type can be difficult to source, Future finance will guide you through the process, provide assistance in preparing the right documentation to ensure a successful outcome. We will also provide the most competitive rates available in the market.