Nikki Wood has been appointed as manager, loans and lending for Alpha First Mortgage Investments.
Alpha First provides opportunities for clients to invest in registered first mortgages and Nikki’s new role is a direct response to the growth in the company’s mortgage investment portfolio and the larger flow of loan applications they are receiving Alpha First director Scott Massey says he is pleased to have Nikki on board as demand from borrowers for funds has grown 20% in the past six months.
“This is on the back of a growing need for property developers and investors to access non-bank financing,” Massey says.
Nikki’s previous role was as finance consultant with Alpha First’s sister company, Omega Capital, where she has been a senior finance consultant since October 2021.
Before this, Nikki was with Westpac, and had a career spanning 25 years with the bank. She has extensive experience in property finance, having managed a portfolio of around $500 million.
“Nikki’s previous experience as a senior property financier and credit manager will be invaluable to her new role,” Massey says.
With $150M of investor funds and 60 loans in its portfolio, Massey says the firm is on track to double its loan book within the next 24 months.
“Nikki is skilled in managing complex, high-end transactions and she’s well equipped to step into the management position She has a proven track record of delivering an exceptionally high level of advice and support,” Massey says.
“Nikki brings a specialist knowledge and experience of property valuation and a pragmatic and measured approach to assisting borrower clients.”
In terms of her niche skills, Nikki says that analysing current trends and mitigating risk is an area of expertise that she can offer.
“I understand the complexity of the current lending environment and it’s my goal to work for Alpha First on strategic and considered lending criteria, which includes providing a sound assessment of risk,” she says.
