Inspired Lending
Specialist bridging, refurbishment, and short-term finance provider, backed by the Pears family. Founded by Gavin Diamond, formerly Director of Bridging Finance at United Trust Bank. Rates from 0.79% per month. Loans up to £5 million against residential, commercial, semi-commercial, and industrial property. Flexible Funding Facility for portfolio investors. Privately funded. England, Wales, and Scotland.
Inspired Lending Limited (Company No. 15063010) was founded by Gavin Diamond and launched on 15 November 2023 as a joint venture with the Pears family. The Pears family are a widely recognised name in UK real estate with a proven track record of investing in and financing property finance businesses, having previously backed Masthaven. Diamond serves as CEO and brings over 15 years of experience in the specialist lending industry. He headed up the bridging finance division at United Trust Bank for nearly 9 years before becoming CEO at Spring Finance. He was the winner of the Business Leader: Bridging Finance award at the 2021 British Specialist Lending Awards and has served three terms as a board member of the Bridging and Development Lenders Association.
Owen Bentley serves as Sales Director, having previously worked alongside Diamond as Head of Sales (Bridging) at both Spring Finance and United Trust Bank. The operational office is at 33 Cavendish Square, London. Inspired Lending joined the BDLA as a member in February 2025 and joined the Brickflow lender panel in September 2025. In its first 18 months, the business has grown steadily through a focus on common-sense underwriting, direct access to decision-makers, and close relationships with introducing brokers. Diamond describes the approach as "grounded in common sense, driven by experience, and delivered with speed, clarity and honesty."
Pears family: private funding with real estate depth
The Pears family's involvement goes beyond funding. They are one of the most established real estate families in the UK, with extensive experience investing in property finance businesses. Jonathan Rose, MD of Pears Property Advisors, represents the family in the venture. Private funding from a family office with direct property expertise is a different proposition from institutional bank funding: the funder understands property, understands short-term lending, and can make decisions without the committee processes that characterise institutional facilities. For borrowers and brokers, this means faster, more flexible decision-making backed by committed capital.
9 years heading UTB bridging. BDLA board member. B&C Power List.
Gavin Diamond's track record is one of the most established in the UK bridging market. Nearly a decade leading the bridging division at United Trust Bank, one of the largest and most respected specialist lenders in the UK, gave him direct experience of underwriting thousands of cases across every property type and borrower profile. The Business Leader award in 2021, three terms on the BDLA board, and inclusion in the B&C Power List 2025 are industry recognition of that experience. For brokers, this means the person making decisions at Inspired Lending has personally assessed and approved a volume of bridging deals that most lender CEOs have not.
Direct access to decision-makers. No layers.
Inspired Lending is a small, senior team. Every case is handled by a direct decision-maker rather than processed through layers of junior underwriters, committee approvals, or funder sign-off stages. The broker who submits a case speaks to the person who will decide it. This flat structure is deliberate: it is the operating model that Diamond built after nearly a decade in a much larger institution. The result is faster decisions, clearer communication, and a more human experience than the process-driven approach that larger lenders inevitably adopt as they scale.
All Inspired Lending products are unregulated and for investment or business purposes only. Rates and criteria are subject to change. All figures are illustrative based on published information at the time of research.
From 0.79% p.m. Up to £5m. Up to 18 months.
Short-term loans secured against residential, commercial, semi-commercial, and industrial property. Loans up to £5,000,000. Terms typically up to 18 months. Rates from 0.79% per month following the March 2026 reduction, with lower rates targeted at straightforward, lower-LTV deals. First and second charges accepted. Suitable for property purchases, auction finance, capital raising, refinancing, re-bridging, and portfolio restructuring. Inspired Lending describes its bridging finance as "a strategic financing tool" rather than a simple loan, reflecting the bespoke structuring that the team applies to each case. The guide to bridging loans covers how short-term property finance works in practice.
Light to heavy. Structural works and change of use.
Finance for refurbishment and conversion projects on any existing structure, covering the full spectrum from cosmetic works through to structural changes and change of use. Secured against residential, commercial, semi-commercial, and industrial property. The refurbishment product sits alongside bridging and can be structured to cover both the acquisition and the works within a single facility. For borrowers purchasing a property that needs significant improvement before it can be refinanced or sold, the refurbishment product provides the capital to complete the project within the bridging timeline rather than funding works from personal cash flow.
Draw and repay as needed. Expandable. Up to 24 months.
Launched February 2026, the Flexible Funding Facility is designed for experienced property professionals with established portfolios who need ongoing access to capital rather than one-off transactional lending. The facility allows funds to be drawn and repaid as often as the borrower requires during the facility term, which runs up to 24 months. Maximum LTV is 70%, with net advances kept within a limit that ensures the balance plus interest for the remaining term does not exceed that level. The facility limit can be increased by up to 50% of the purchase price of each new property acquired, with no fresh valuation or legal due diligence required, at a 2% fee on each incremental uplift. Arrangement fee 2% of facility limit. Annual renewal fee 0.5%.
All Inspired Lending products are unregulated. Unregulated bridging and short-term finance is for investment and business purposes only. If you live in or intend to live in the property you plan to use as security, an Inspired Lending loan is not suitable. A regulated bridge from a different lender would be required. A specialist broker can identify the appropriate product and lender for your situation.
The criteria below are drawn from Inspired Lending's published product information and trade press coverage. All criteria are subject to change. Contact a broker for current terms on a specific case.
Loan sizes, terms and rates
Bridging and refurbishment loans are available up to £5,000,000, secured against residential, commercial, semi-commercial, and industrial property. Terms are typically up to 18 months on standard bridging. The Flexible Funding Facility runs up to 24 months. Rates start from 0.79% per month following the March 2026 reduction, with the most competitive pricing targeted at straightforward lower-LTV transactions. The rate offered on a specific case depends on the property type, the LTV, the borrower's experience, and the exit strategy. A broker can obtain an indicative rate from Inspired Lending based on the specific case details before a formal application is submitted.
Property types and coverage
Inspired Lending lends against residential, commercial, semi-commercial, and industrial property across England, Wales, and Scotland. Scotland coverage was added in July 2024 with the appointment of Wilson McKendrick to the solicitor panel. The breadth of property types accepted is wider than many bridging lenders of a comparable size, reflecting the team's experience across a full range of security types during their years at UTB. Specific property type exclusions should be confirmed with Inspired Lending's underwriting team on a case-by-case basis. The LTV and equity calculator can help estimate the borrowing capacity on a specific property.
How the Flexible Funding Facility works
The Flexible Funding Facility is not a standard bridging loan. It is a revolving facility that allows the borrower to draw and repay capital as often as needed during the facility term. The maximum LTV is 70%, calculated so that the outstanding balance plus accrued interest for the remaining term never exceeds 70% of the security value. The facility limit can be expanded by up to 50% of the purchase price of each new property acquired during the term, without requiring a new valuation or fresh legal due diligence on the existing portfolio. A 2% fee applies to each incremental uplift. The arrangement fee is 2% of the initial facility limit, with an annual renewal fee of 0.5%. This structure suits portfolio investors who want certainty of capital access across multiple transactions.
Borrower profile and underwriting approach
Inspired Lending uses common-sense underwriting with direct access to decision-makers on every case. The team assesses each deal on its individual merits rather than processing to a rigid template. The CEO describes the approach as being "grounded in common sense, driven by experience, and delivered with speed, clarity and honesty." The Flexible Funding Facility is specifically designed for experienced property professionals with established portfolios, though the standard bridging and refurbishment products are available to a wider range of borrowers. A broker can discuss a case informally with the Inspired Lending team before submission to establish likely viability.
Legal panel and process
Inspired Lending has appointed Lawrence Stephens and Wilson McKendrick (Scotland) to its solicitor panel. The legal process is managed to prioritise speed and clarity. The Flexible Funding Facility's ability to expand without fresh legal due diligence on existing security is a specific process efficiency designed to reduce the cost and timeline of adding properties to the facility during the term. On standard bridging cases, the legal process follows the conventional pattern of valuation, legal due diligence, and charge registration, with Inspired Lending's team maintaining direct communication with the broker and solicitor throughout.
Unregulated loans only. Investment and business purposes.
All Inspired Lending products are unregulated. They are not suitable for a borrower who lives in or intends to live in the property being used as security. Regulated bridging, which carries FCA consumer protections, is required in those circumstances and must be arranged with a different lender. A broker can confirm whether your intended use falls within the regulated or unregulated category. Failure to repay an Inspired Lending loan could result in the security being repossessed.
Inspired Lending's combination of private funding, experienced leadership, and the Flexible Funding Facility makes it relevant for property investors and developers who value direct relationships and bespoke structuring. All lending is unregulated and for investment or business purposes only.
Flexible Funding Facility for ongoing capital access
An experienced property investor managing a portfolio of buy-to-let or commercial assets who needs ongoing access to short-term capital can use the Flexible Funding Facility as a revolving credit line secured against their existing portfolio. The ability to draw and repay as needed, expand the facility by 50% of each new acquisition without fresh valuations, and work within a 24-month term provides a level of flexibility that standard transactional bridging does not offer. This suits investors who view their relationship with a lender as an ongoing partnership rather than a series of one-off deals. The guide to bridging loans covers how short-term finance fits into a wider investment strategy.
Bridging loans →Standard bridging for acquisitions, auctions, and capital raising
A property investor buying at auction, purchasing off-market, or raising capital against an existing asset for a time-sensitive opportunity can use Inspired Lending's standard bridging product. Loans up to £5 million against residential, commercial, semi-commercial, and industrial property, with rates from 0.79% per month. The direct access to decision-makers means the broker receives a clear answer quickly, without the case being routed through multiple approval layers. For auction purchases where certainty and speed are critical, this flat decision-making structure is a practical advantage.
Bridging loans →Light to heavy works, structural changes, and change of use
An investor purchasing a property to refurbish, convert, or change its use can use the refurbishment product to fund both the acquisition and the works within a single facility. The product covers everything from cosmetic improvements through to structural changes and full change of use. Inspired Lending's experienced underwriting team, drawn from years at UTB, has assessed a wide range of refurbishment projects and can structure the loan around the specific requirements of the project rather than forcing it into a rigid product template.
Bridging loans →Relationship-led lending with direct decision-maker access
Inspired Lending was built specifically around the broker relationship. Diamond and Bentley both came from roles where they worked directly with intermediaries and understand the pressures brokers face when placing cases with lenders. The business model is designed to give brokers direct access to the underwriting team, clear rationales for decisions (including declines), and a consistent service experience. For a broker who values knowing the person making the decision and getting a straight answer rather than an automated response, Inspired Lending offers that direct line of communication.
Bridging loans →Who are Inspired Lending and what is their background?
Inspired Lending was founded in November 2023 by Gavin Diamond as a joint venture with the Pears family. Diamond previously headed the bridging finance division at United Trust Bank for nearly 9 years, making him one of the most experienced bridging leaders in the UK market. Before founding Inspired Lending, he served as CEO at Spring Finance. He won the Business Leader: Bridging Finance award at the 2021 British Specialist Lending Awards and has served three terms as a board member of the Bridging and Development Lenders Association. He was featured in the B&C Power List 2025.
Owen Bentley, the Sales Director, worked alongside Diamond at both UTB and Spring Finance before joining Inspired Lending at launch. The Pears family provide the private funding. They are a widely recognised name in UK real estate with a track record that includes previously backing Masthaven. The combination of an experienced lending team and committed private capital from a family with deep real estate knowledge is the foundation of the business. The first loan completed in December 2023 and the business has grown steadily since through a focus on broker relationships and common-sense underwriting.
What is the Flexible Funding Facility and who is it for?
The Flexible Funding Facility, launched in February 2026, is a revolving credit facility designed for experienced property professionals with established portfolios. Unlike a standard bridging loan where a fixed amount is drawn on day one and repaid at the end of the term, the Flexible Funding Facility allows the borrower to draw and repay funds as often as needed during the facility term, which runs up to 24 months. The maximum LTV is 70%, calculated so that the outstanding balance plus accrued interest never exceeds that level.
The most distinctive feature is expandability. The facility limit can be increased by up to 50% of the purchase price of each new property the borrower acquires during the term, without requiring a new valuation or fresh legal due diligence on the existing portfolio. A 2% fee applies to each incremental uplift. The arrangement fee is 2% of the initial facility limit with an annual renewal fee of 0.5%. This structure suits investors who want to move quickly on acquisitions without needing to arrange a fresh bridging loan and go through the full legal and valuation process each time. Sales Director Owen Bentley described it as being "about how we work with our clients" rather than a new product launch.
What are Inspired Lending's current rates?
In March 2026, Inspired Lending reduced its bridging finance rates to from 0.79% per month for new lending. The reduction was designed to strengthen the offer on straightforward, lower-LTV transactions. These types of cases, typically involving clean security, a clear exit strategy, and lower leverage, represent lower risk for the lender and are priced accordingly. CEO Gavin Diamond stated that demand from brokers and introducers had influenced the decision to cut rates.
The rate offered on a specific case depends on the property type, the LTV, the complexity of the transaction, and the borrower's profile. Higher-LTV cases, more complex structures, and properties with unusual characteristics will attract higher rates than a straightforward residential investment at low leverage with a confirmed exit. The Flexible Funding Facility has its own fee structure: a 2% arrangement fee, 0.5% annual renewal, and 2% on each facility uplift. The guide to loan fees explains how total costs on a bridging loan are typically structured.
What property types does Inspired Lending accept?
Inspired Lending lends against residential, commercial, semi-commercial, and industrial property. This is a broader range than many bridging lenders of a comparable size, which often restrict lending to residential and perhaps semi-commercial. The inclusion of industrial property and the full commercial range reflects the team's extensive experience at UTB, where they assessed and approved loans across every property type over a period of nearly a decade.
Coverage extends across England, Wales, and Scotland. Scotland was added in July 2024 with the appointment of Wilson McKendrick to the solicitor panel. Specific property type exclusions and any constraints on unusual construction types, short leasehold, or niche commercial uses should be confirmed with the Inspired Lending underwriting team on a case-by-case basis. The common-sense underwriting approach means that cases involving unusual or complex property are assessed on their merits rather than automatically excluded by a rigid property type list.
What does it mean that Inspired Lending is privately funded?
Inspired Lending is funded by the Pears family through a joint venture arrangement. The Pears family provide the capital that is lent to borrowers. This is different from most bridging lenders, which fund their loans through institutional credit facilities provided by banks or fund managers. Those institutional facilities come with conditions set by the funder that the lender must operate within, regardless of the lender's own assessment of a case. Private family office funding removes that constraint.
The practical consequence is that Inspired Lending's underwriting team has the authority to make decisions on the merits of the deal without checking whether a bank funder's criteria are met. Diamond described the private funding as "critical to our success" at launch. For brokers, this means a faster decision-making process with fewer layers between the submission and the answer. For borrowers, it means a lender that can accommodate structures, property types, and circumstances that institutionally funded lenders may not be able to approve even if they wanted to.
Does Inspired Lending offer regulated bridging?
No. All Inspired Lending products are currently unregulated. This means they are for investment and business purposes only and are not suitable for a borrower who lives in or intends to live in the property being used as security. If you need a regulated bridge (for example, to prevent a chain break on your primary residence, or to purchase a new home before selling your current one), a different lender is required.
Several specialist bridging lenders in the market offer both regulated and unregulated products. A broker can identify the right lender for your specific situation and confirm whether the purpose of your loan falls within the regulated or unregulated category. The guide to bridging loans explains the practical difference between regulated and unregulated bridging and when each applies.
Does Inspired Lending lend in Scotland?
Yes. Inspired Lending entered the Scottish market in July 2024, initially offering bridging and refurbishment finance. Wilson McKendrick, a well-known specialist solicitor firm in Scotland, was appointed to the legal panel to support Scottish cases. Scottish property law differs from English and Welsh law in several important respects, and Wilson McKendrick's specialist knowledge ensures the legal process is handled by a firm with direct experience of Scottish conveyancing and charge registration.
Diamond stated at the Scotland launch that it had always been the intention to lend north of the border and that the timing reflected confidence in how the products and service had been received in England and Wales. The Flexible Funding Facility is also available in Scotland subject to the same criteria. A broker with Scottish cases can submit directly to the Inspired Lending team, who will route the legal work through Wilson McKendrick.
Has Inspired Lending won any industry awards?
Inspired Lending has been shortlisted for Best Bridging Newcomer at the Bridging and Commercial Awards in both 2024 and 2025. No confirmed win at either ceremony has been announced at the time of research. Gavin Diamond was featured in the B&C Power List 2025 for his expertise in specialist lending. The business joined the BDLA as a member in February 2025, confirming its alignment with the industry's primary trade association.
Diamond's personal track record includes the Business Leader: Bridging Finance award at the 2021 British Specialist Lending Awards, which he won during his time at UTB. He also served three terms on the board of the BDLA (formerly the Association of Short Term Lenders), which is the longest-standing trade body for bridging and development lenders in the UK. These individual credentials represent the experience and industry standing that the founder brings to the business rather than corporate awards for Inspired Lending itself.
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Visit StepChange →This page is for informational purposes only and does not constitute financial advice. All Inspired Lending products are unregulated and for investment and business purposes only. None of these products are suitable for a property the borrower lives in or plans to live in. If you do not keep up repayments, the property may be repossessed. Inspired Lending Limited (Company No. 15063010) is registered at 12th Floor Aldgate Tower, 2 Leman Street, London E1W 9US. Operational office: 19th Floor, 33 Cavendish Square, London W1G 0PW. Inspired Lending is a joint venture with the Pears family, who provide the funding. Lending criteria, rates, and product availability are subject to change without notice. All rates and figures shown are illustrative only, based on published information at the time of research. Actual costs and eligibility depend on individual circumstances and the lender's assessment at the time of application. Squared Money operates as an introducer only and does not provide financial advice or arrange loans.