About us

Seneca Bridging is a privately-backed provider of short-term bridging and development loans.

Trading since 2006, we are a longstanding, established, funding partner focussed on the provision of Bridging and Development Loans to property professionals many of whom are regular repeat borrowers.

We provide unregulated Bridging and Development finance from £100k net to £2.5m for a term of up to 18 months. We fund residential and commercial property developments, from refurbishment to “ground-up” developments throughout England, Wales and Scotland.

Meet the Team
Our Partners
Testimonials

Why Choose Us

We are a longstanding provider of finance, highly regarded in the market. We are quick, experienced and professional. Our reputation has been built on providing flexible and dependable Development finance and Bridging finance through short lines of communication. The property sector is built on relationships and this is something we stand by at Seneca Bridging. We like to visit every property we lend on and meet everyone we lend to. We work very closely with brokers and introducers, to whom we provide fast and consistent feedback. We also guarantee complete transparency of overall costs.

The Team

Seneca Bridging has built a strong reputation in the property finance sector. Our team brings together decades of proven hands-on capability in property, construction, finance and underwriting. Excellent service and transparency throughout can be expected when working with our personable and talented professionals.

New Business

Paul Ratcliffe

Paul joined Seneca in September 2024 with over 30 years of experience in banking and property finance.

Paul spent 25 years with Yorkshire Bank and Santander and over the most recent six years has focused his time and energy in the bridging and development finance space. He has a great reputation for looking after brokers and direct clients, tailoring funding solutions to their specific needs. Paul’s experience in bridging and development finance has enabled him to deliver consistent results for his introducer network, the origins of which span many years.

As Head of Business Development, Paul supports the wider team and will continue to expand the business’s reach to brokers and developers nationwide.

  • 07341 869 483
Paul Ratcliffe

Paul Ratcliffe

Paul joined Seneca in September 2024 with over 30 years of experience in banking and property finance.

Paul spent 25 years with Yorkshire Bank and Santander and over the most recent six years has focused his time and energy in the bridging and development finance space. He has a great reputation for looking after brokers and direct clients, tailoring funding solutions to their specific needs. Paul’s experience in bridging and development finance has enabled him to deliver consistent results for his introducer network, the origins of which span many years.

As Head of Business Development, Paul supports the wider team and will continue to expand the business’s reach to brokers and developers nationwide.

  • 07341 869 483
More info

Paul Ratcliffe

Paul joined Seneca in September 2024 with over 30 years of experience in banking and property finance.

Paul spent 25 years with Yorkshire Bank and Santander and over the most recent six years has focused his time and energy in the bridging and development finance space. He has a great reputation for looking after brokers and direct clients, tailoring funding solutions to their specific needs. Paul’s experience in bridging and development finance has enabled him to deliver consistent results for his introducer network, the origins of which span many years.

As Head of Business Development, Paul supports the wider team and will continue to expand the business’s reach to brokers and developers nationwide.

  • 07341 869 483

Sophie Moore

Sophie joined Seneca Bridging in December 2023 with over 6 years of underwriting experience. Prior to joining, Sophie had spent 2 years as a team leader in one of Seneca’s other lending businesses where she excelled in fast lending decisions and managing intermediary relationships.

Sophie is relationship-driven and brings her passion for business development and underwriting experience to her role at Seneca.

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Sophie Moore

Sophie Moore

Sophie joined Seneca Bridging in December 2023 with over 6 years of underwriting experience. Prior to joining, Sophie had spent 2 years as a team leader in one of Seneca’s other lending businesses where she excelled in fast lending decisions and managing intermediary relationships.

Sophie is relationship-driven and brings her passion for business development and underwriting experience to her role at Seneca.

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More info

Sophie Moore

Sophie joined Seneca Bridging in December 2023 with over 6 years of underwriting experience. Prior to joining, Sophie had spent 2 years as a team leader in one of Seneca’s other lending businesses where she excelled in fast lending decisions and managing intermediary relationships.

Sophie is relationship-driven and brings her passion for business development and underwriting experience to her role at Seneca.

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  • 07436 786 208

Sean Carbery

Sean joined Seneca as Relationship Director for the Midlands, bringing more than 14 years’ experience across real estate and commercial banking.

Sean spent over six years with Lloyds Banking Group, where he built a strong foundation in structured lending, credit analysis and long-term client relationship management. More recently, Sean has focused on the lending and development market, developing a reputation for combining technical knowledge with a relationship-led approach.

He works closely with brokers and introducers to structure tailored funding solutions, navigate complexity and drive transactions through to completion, ensuring deals are executed efficiently and with certainty from initial structuring through to drawdown.

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Sean Carbery

Sean Carbery

Sean joined Seneca as Relationship Director for the Midlands, bringing more than 14 years’ experience across real estate and commercial banking.

Sean spent over six years with Lloyds Banking Group, where he built a strong foundation in structured lending, credit analysis and long-term client relationship management. More recently, Sean has focused on the lending and development market, developing a reputation for combining technical knowledge with a relationship-led approach.

He works closely with brokers and introducers to structure tailored funding solutions, navigate complexity and drive transactions through to completion, ensuring deals are executed efficiently and with certainty from initial structuring through to drawdown.

  • 01942 295 982
  • 07392 879 371
More info

Sean Carbery

Sean joined Seneca as Relationship Director for the Midlands, bringing more than 14 years’ experience across real estate and commercial banking.

Sean spent over six years with Lloyds Banking Group, where he built a strong foundation in structured lending, credit analysis and long-term client relationship management. More recently, Sean has focused on the lending and development market, developing a reputation for combining technical knowledge with a relationship-led approach.

He works closely with brokers and introducers to structure tailored funding solutions, navigate complexity and drive transactions through to completion, ensuring deals are executed efficiently and with certainty from initial structuring through to drawdown.

  • 01942 295 982
  • 07392 879 371

Ben Thompson

Ben joined Seneca Bridging in March 2026 with over 11 years of underwriting experience across financial services. Prior to this, Ben developed a strong track record in making sound lending decisions and supporting intermediary relationships.

Ben brings his underwriting expertise and takes a collaborative, relationship-driven approach to deliver a responsive and reliable service.

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Ben Thompson

Ben Thompson

Ben joined Seneca Bridging in March 2026 with over 11 years of underwriting experience across financial services. Prior to this, Ben developed a strong track record in making sound lending decisions and supporting intermediary relationships.

Ben brings his underwriting expertise and takes a collaborative, relationship-driven approach to deliver a responsive and reliable service.

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  • 07551 918 164
More info

Ben Thompson

Ben joined Seneca Bridging in March 2026 with over 11 years of underwriting experience across financial services. Prior to this, Ben developed a strong track record in making sound lending decisions and supporting intermediary relationships.

Ben brings his underwriting expertise and takes a collaborative, relationship-driven approach to deliver a responsive and reliable service.

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Adam Bluma

Adam joined Seneca in June 2026, bringing over 15 years of experience in banking and specialist property finance.

Adam spent 11 years with NatWest Bank, building a strong foundation in lending, credit analysis and client relationship management. More recently, Adam has focused his time and energy in the bridging and development finance space, holding senior roles at Assetz Finance and Bridging Finance Solutions.

Adam has developed a reputation for providing quick, commercial decisions and for his relentless focus on driving transactions through to completion. He works closely with brokers and clients alike, ensuring that deals are progressed efficiently and with certainty from initial enquiry through to drawdown.

Adam's experience across both mainstream and specialist lending enables him to structure tailored funding solutions that meet the specific needs of each transaction, delivering consistent results for his introducer network.

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  • 07884 738 796
Adam Bluma

Adam Bluma

Adam joined Seneca in June 2026, bringing over 15 years of experience in banking and specialist property finance.

Adam spent 11 years with NatWest Bank, building a strong foundation in lending, credit analysis and client relationship management. More recently, Adam has focused his time and energy in the bridging and development finance space, holding senior roles at Assetz Finance and Bridging Finance Solutions.

Adam has developed a reputation for providing quick, commercial decisions and for his relentless focus on driving transactions through to completion. He works closely with brokers and clients alike, ensuring that deals are progressed efficiently and with certainty from initial enquiry through to drawdown.

Adam's experience across both mainstream and specialist lending enables him to structure tailored funding solutions that meet the specific needs of each transaction, delivering consistent results for his introducer network.

  • 01942 295 982
  • 07884 738 796
More info

Adam Bluma

Adam joined Seneca in June 2026, bringing over 15 years of experience in banking and specialist property finance.

Adam spent 11 years with NatWest Bank, building a strong foundation in lending, credit analysis and client relationship management. More recently, Adam has focused his time and energy in the bridging and development finance space, holding senior roles at Assetz Finance and Bridging Finance Solutions.

Adam has developed a reputation for providing quick, commercial decisions and for his relentless focus on driving transactions through to completion. He works closely with brokers and clients alike, ensuring that deals are progressed efficiently and with certainty from initial enquiry through to drawdown.

Adam's experience across both mainstream and specialist lending enables him to structure tailored funding solutions that meet the specific needs of each transaction, delivering consistent results for his introducer network.

  • 01942 295 982
  • 07884 738 796

Operations

Laura Govan

Laura joined the operations team in 2017 and is the Portfolio Manager for the business. Laura oversees the progression of credit approved deals and manages Seneca’s panel of professionals to ensure that both clients and brokers alike receive an excellent level of service.

Being the Portfolio Manager, Laura maintains close working relationships with our clients so that an efficient and complete service can be provided, particularly with clients who have periodic borrowing needs during the construction phase of projects. In doing so, Laura works closely with Seneca’s credit committee and the professionals appointed by Seneca on the various projects we fund.

Laura supports clients as they approach the end of their term with Seneca and ensures that developers are keen to work with us in the future.

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Laura Govan

Laura Govan

Laura joined the operations team in 2017 and is the Portfolio Manager for the business. Laura oversees the progression of credit approved deals and manages Seneca’s panel of professionals to ensure that both clients and brokers alike receive an excellent level of service.

Being the Portfolio Manager, Laura maintains close working relationships with our clients so that an efficient and complete service can be provided, particularly with clients who have periodic borrowing needs during the construction phase of projects. In doing so, Laura works closely with Seneca’s credit committee and the professionals appointed by Seneca on the various projects we fund.

Laura supports clients as they approach the end of their term with Seneca and ensures that developers are keen to work with us in the future.

  • 01942 295 982
More info

Laura Govan

Laura joined the operations team in 2017 and is the Portfolio Manager for the business. Laura oversees the progression of credit approved deals and manages Seneca’s panel of professionals to ensure that both clients and brokers alike receive an excellent level of service.

Being the Portfolio Manager, Laura maintains close working relationships with our clients so that an efficient and complete service can be provided, particularly with clients who have periodic borrowing needs during the construction phase of projects. In doing so, Laura works closely with Seneca’s credit committee and the professionals appointed by Seneca on the various projects we fund.

Laura supports clients as they approach the end of their term with Seneca and ensures that developers are keen to work with us in the future.

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Rachel Hardie

Rachel joined the operations team in May 2025, having spent 2 years working in one of Seneca’s other lending businesses. Prior to joining Seneca, Rachel had a 20-year career in the housing sector working as a commercial and home ownership manager.

Rachel works closely with the Portfolio manager to ensure our clients receive a smooth and excellent service.

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Rachel Hardie

Rachel Hardie

Rachel joined the operations team in May 2025, having spent 2 years working in one of Seneca’s other lending businesses. Prior to joining Seneca, Rachel had a 20-year career in the housing sector working as a commercial and home ownership manager.

Rachel works closely with the Portfolio manager to ensure our clients receive a smooth and excellent service.

  • 01942 295 982
More info

Rachel Hardie

Rachel joined the operations team in May 2025, having spent 2 years working in one of Seneca’s other lending businesses. Prior to joining Seneca, Rachel had a 20-year career in the housing sector working as a commercial and home ownership manager.

Rachel works closely with the Portfolio manager to ensure our clients receive a smooth and excellent service.

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Mark Hopton

Mark qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 1991.Mark gained extensive experience of corporate finance, restructurings and an AIM flotation in his roles as Head of Finance at Raytheon Corporate Jets and as Finance Director of FADS Group.

Mark joined Cenkos Fund Managers in 2009 as an Investment Manager and further enhanced his experience of fundraisings, mergers, acquisitions and restructurings during his three years with the company.

Mark joined Seneca in 2011 to assist in the management of our investee companies and lending activities. He provides invaluable financial management, analysis and reporting both internally and as an outsourced client service.

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Mark Hopton

Mark Hopton

Mark qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 1991.Mark gained extensive experience of corporate finance, restructurings and an AIM flotation in his roles as Head of Finance at Raytheon Corporate Jets and as Finance Director of FADS Group.

Mark joined Cenkos Fund Managers in 2009 as an Investment Manager and further enhanced his experience of fundraisings, mergers, acquisitions and restructurings during his three years with the company.

Mark joined Seneca in 2011 to assist in the management of our investee companies and lending activities. He provides invaluable financial management, analysis and reporting both internally and as an outsourced client service.

  • 01942 295 984
  • 07825 941 357
More info

Mark Hopton

Mark qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 1991.Mark gained extensive experience of corporate finance, restructurings and an AIM flotation in his roles as Head of Finance at Raytheon Corporate Jets and as Finance Director of FADS Group.

Mark joined Cenkos Fund Managers in 2009 as an Investment Manager and further enhanced his experience of fundraisings, mergers, acquisitions and restructurings during his three years with the company.

Mark joined Seneca in 2011 to assist in the management of our investee companies and lending activities. He provides invaluable financial management, analysis and reporting both internally and as an outsourced client service.

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Richard Manley

Richard holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Birmingham and qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 2003. He worked for KPMG for over 5 years, initially in their audit business and latterly in their corporate recovery division working on financial and operational restructurings and formal insolvencies.

In 2007, Richard joined NM Rothschild’s leveraged finance team in Manchester before joining Cenkos Fund Managers in June 2008. During his time with Cenkos Fund Managers, manager of the £60m pre-IPO investment fund RRF Ltd, Richard gained extensive experience of flotations, fundraisings, mergers, acquisitions and restructurings.

Richard is a member of the Credit Committee.

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Richard Manley

Richard Manley

Richard holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Birmingham and qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 2003. He worked for KPMG for over 5 years, initially in their audit business and latterly in their corporate recovery division working on financial and operational restructurings and formal insolvencies.

In 2007, Richard joined NM Rothschild’s leveraged finance team in Manchester before joining Cenkos Fund Managers in June 2008. During his time with Cenkos Fund Managers, manager of the £60m pre-IPO investment fund RRF Ltd, Richard gained extensive experience of flotations, fundraisings, mergers, acquisitions and restructurings.

Richard is a member of the Credit Committee.

  • 01942 295 982
  • 07825 941 362
More info

Richard Manley

Richard holds a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics from the University of Birmingham and qualified as a chartered accountant with KPMG in 2003. He worked for KPMG for over 5 years, initially in their audit business and latterly in their corporate recovery division working on financial and operational restructurings and formal insolvencies.

In 2007, Richard joined NM Rothschild’s leveraged finance team in Manchester before joining Cenkos Fund Managers in June 2008. During his time with Cenkos Fund Managers, manager of the £60m pre-IPO investment fund RRF Ltd, Richard gained extensive experience of flotations, fundraisings, mergers, acquisitions and restructurings.

Richard is a member of the Credit Committee.

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  • 07825 941 362

Tim Murphy

Tim commenced his finance career with Barclays in 1983 where he fulfilled various corporate and credit roles before joining County NatWest in 1990 where he held a number of positions in structured and acquisition finance.In 1993, Tim joined the Royal Bank of Scotland’s fledgling Acquisition Finance business, initially establishing the Leeds office. He was subsequently responsible for all UK regional teams and in 2002, he founded RBS Corporate & Structured Finance. As Joint Managing Director, he had overall responsibility for the national mid-cap structured finance business, whilst also being a member of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Corporate Credit Committee.

In 2005, Tim was hired by Deloitte, Manchester, as a corporate finance partner with the remit to establish the National Debt Advisory business, advising on capital raising and stressed debt refinancing.

After a successful spell, he joined HBOS as UK Managing Director, Large Corporates in 2008.

Tim joined Seneca from NorthEdge Capital, where he was a founding partner of the business, established to focus on stressed corporate opportunities.

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Tim Murphy

Tim Murphy

Tim commenced his finance career with Barclays in 1983 where he fulfilled various corporate and credit roles before joining County NatWest in 1990 where he held a number of positions in structured and acquisition finance.In 1993, Tim joined the Royal Bank of Scotland’s fledgling Acquisition Finance business, initially establishing the Leeds office. He was subsequently responsible for all UK regional teams and in 2002, he founded RBS Corporate & Structured Finance. As Joint Managing Director, he had overall responsibility for the national mid-cap structured finance business, whilst also being a member of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Corporate Credit Committee.

In 2005, Tim was hired by Deloitte, Manchester, as a corporate finance partner with the remit to establish the National Debt Advisory business, advising on capital raising and stressed debt refinancing.

After a successful spell, he joined HBOS as UK Managing Director, Large Corporates in 2008.

Tim joined Seneca from NorthEdge Capital, where he was a founding partner of the business, established to focus on stressed corporate opportunities.

  • 07900 160 564
More info

Tim Murphy

Tim commenced his finance career with Barclays in 1983 where he fulfilled various corporate and credit roles before joining County NatWest in 1990 where he held a number of positions in structured and acquisition finance.In 1993, Tim joined the Royal Bank of Scotland’s fledgling Acquisition Finance business, initially establishing the Leeds office. He was subsequently responsible for all UK regional teams and in 2002, he founded RBS Corporate & Structured Finance. As Joint Managing Director, he had overall responsibility for the national mid-cap structured finance business, whilst also being a member of the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Corporate Credit Committee.

In 2005, Tim was hired by Deloitte, Manchester, as a corporate finance partner with the remit to establish the National Debt Advisory business, advising on capital raising and stressed debt refinancing.

After a successful spell, he joined HBOS as UK Managing Director, Large Corporates in 2008.

Tim joined Seneca from NorthEdge Capital, where he was a founding partner of the business, established to focus on stressed corporate opportunities.

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Aziz Shan

Aziz joined Seneca in 2013 as part of the banking advisory team where he supported SMEs on their interest rate hedging products litigation. Drawing on his legal and finance experience, Aziz transitioned to the Bridging business in 2015 with a special focus on deal execution and portfolio management.

As Legal Director, Aziz leads the growing operations team to ensure that Seneca’s portfolio is performing and Seneca delivers an excellent service to all of its clients. In doing so, Aziz oversees and supports colleagues on all new lending and portfolio management activities and where necessary handles Seneca’s enforcement actions.

More broadly, Aziz also works closely with Seneca’s credit committee and the board of directors.

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Aziz Shan

Aziz Shan

Aziz joined Seneca in 2013 as part of the banking advisory team where he supported SMEs on their interest rate hedging products litigation. Drawing on his legal and finance experience, Aziz transitioned to the Bridging business in 2015 with a special focus on deal execution and portfolio management.

As Legal Director, Aziz leads the growing operations team to ensure that Seneca’s portfolio is performing and Seneca delivers an excellent service to all of its clients. In doing so, Aziz oversees and supports colleagues on all new lending and portfolio management activities and where necessary handles Seneca’s enforcement actions.

More broadly, Aziz also works closely with Seneca’s credit committee and the board of directors.

  • 01942 295 982
More info

Aziz Shan

Aziz joined Seneca in 2013 as part of the banking advisory team where he supported SMEs on their interest rate hedging products litigation. Drawing on his legal and finance experience, Aziz transitioned to the Bridging business in 2015 with a special focus on deal execution and portfolio management.

As Legal Director, Aziz leads the growing operations team to ensure that Seneca’s portfolio is performing and Seneca delivers an excellent service to all of its clients. In doing so, Aziz oversees and supports colleagues on all new lending and portfolio management activities and where necessary handles Seneca’s enforcement actions.

More broadly, Aziz also works closely with Seneca’s credit committee and the board of directors.

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Partners

Partnerships helps us deliver on time, every time. We choose our partners carefully to make the process as robust and seamless as possible for our customers. Our partners are a key part of our success in delivering diligent lending at exceptional value.

Forbes Solicitors

Fieldfisher LLP

Farleys Solicitors

CG

Watts Group Ltd

Gateley Vinden Ltd

Taylor Wilkinson Surveyors Ltd

VAS Panel

Testimonials

Seneca provided a really efficient process and delivered as promised. It’s good to know there are reliable funders out there who understand development.

– Jerome Roith, Property Planning Gain

Broker

I’ve worked with Seneca Bridging on two separate occasions now moving into my third product, and both experiences have been excellent. The first involved a £780,000 facility to support a time-sensitive property acquisition. Seneca moved quickly and efficiently, ensuring the deal was completed without delays. More recently, while managing two active development projects, I returned to Seneca to secure an additional £200,000. This funding was key to maintaining momentum and keeping both projects on track. The team understood exactly what was needed and acted with the urgency and professionalism I’ve come to expect from them. Seneca’s approach is straightforward, responsive, and solution-focused. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend them to other developers or investors looking for a reliable lending partner.

– Daniel Kennedy

Client

I have been working with Seneca Bridging for a couple of years now and have just completed on a third Development Finance facility for a client. Seneca always looks at ways to get deals without reducing LTVs and always look at ways to get the deal over the line, applying flexibility when it is needed.

– GW

Broker

We are a small independent housing developer of many years and have secured funding for our developments from several sources in this time. Not all funders are the same and have at times proven to be difficult to work with. Seneca Bridging have now funded several projects successfully for us and working with their team is easy and user friendly. We receive the funds on time and they always work hard to assist us in our developments to ensure success.

– ME, Cheshire

Client

We asked for desk top valuations to be considered, Seneca agreed to this and implemented. We also asked for duel rep from a legal perspective to be considered for all types of property transaction including ground up development, Seneca reached out to its panel of Lawyers and implemented. Seneca is a business that listens to what brokers and borrowers want and is flexible when it comes to change.

– Chris Wilcox, Angel Property Finance

Broker

Really impressed with these guys, the buying process was tricky with the seller needing probate but where patient and understanding. Drawdowns were always straightforward and a quick turnaround to receiving the money in the bank. Would work with them again and have asked for terms for another project.

– MA, Worthing

Client

Having been a broker for the last 20 years I would say that Seneca is probably the best bridging and development lender I have worked with, there are no if’s and buts, the criteria is simple and if they can do a deal they will go for it plus not many lender can hit a tight deadline like Seneca can, so ease, speed and certainty of funds is what you get. 

– SA

Broker

Seneca Bridging have provided our company with loan facilities on our £6.4 million GDV development at Garstang PR3. With their embedded knowledge of development, they know how to support the development throughout the process up and down! This is our second facility with Seneca and the team, Aziz, Sharon, and Laura, are always available and supportive. 

– EB, Garstang

Client

Learn more about Seneca Bridging

Our funding

A comprehensive suite of fast, flexible property finance solutions tailored for property developers and investors.

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Funded projects

Our case studies show every deal is different, from light refurbishments to large residential bridges.

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Latest news

Read the latest news and insights from Seneca Bridging.

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FAQs

Get immediate answers to the most common questions about our lending solutions and process.

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