Lakeshield strengthens business development team with two new hires

02 February 2026

London-based bridging lender Lakeshield has announced the appointment of two new Business Development Managers as it continues to expand its broker-facing team.

Sophia Lee and Robin Bruce will strengthen Lakeshield’s broker relationships, supporting residential, commercial and refurbishment bridging enquiries. Both will work closely with Lakeshield’s credit and underwriting teams to provide brokers with clear, timely decisions.

Robin Bruce joins from SevernRise Lending and will focus on South West England. His experience in bridging finance is complemented by previous roles at Property Finance Group, as well as running his own brokerage and development company, giving him a strong understanding of intermediary and borrower requirements.

Sophia Lee joins from Avamore Capital, and will focus on relationships in London and the South East. With previous experience at Cynergy Bank and NatWest, she brings a strong background in property finance and established broker relationships.

Commenting on the new arrivals, Daniel Rodney, Co-Founder of Lakeshield, said:

“Expanding our business development team with experienced BDMs like Sophia and Robin supports our focus on accessibility, speed and clear communication. Their appointments strengthen our ability to build broker relationships and grow origination across key regions.”

Robin discussed the new role:

“With experience across the lender, broker and direct borrower sides of the market, Lakeshield impressed me with their asset-first mindset and their willingness to find a reason to lend. I look forward to helping brokers and borrowers throughout the South West benefit from our pragmatic approach to lending."

Sophia commented on her appointment:

“I’m really excited to be joining Lakeshield and speaking with existing brokers while developing new relationships. Working for a privately funded lender with commercially minded decision-makers who truly understand the realities of the market was a big draw for me, and I’m looking forward to supporting brokers with fast, practical solutions.”

About Lakeshield

Lakeshield is a privately funded, unregulated bridging lender established in 2021. They provide funding for residential and commercial property investments, refurbishment loans, and auction purchases. They focus on fast credit-backed terms, pragmatic underwriting, and direct access to senior decision-makers to help brokers progress deals.