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Bridging and development finance experts
BTL and commercial mortgages
30 years' experience in banking and finance
Access to 150+ lenders
World-class experience in banking and finance
Clear Idea Finance is a specialist property finance advisory and brokerage business based in Ipswich, Suffolk. With decades of world-class experience in banking and finance, Clear Idea will help you find the finance you need to fund your next property project.
We advise on all specialist property finance products, including BTL / HMO / SA mortgages, commercial mortgages, bridging / refurb loans, and development finance.
Client testimonial
“I use Clear Idea for all my business finance needs. They are experts in their field and a pleasure to work with.”
– Mike G, Company Director, Ipswich
Meet the team
Richard Grainger – Director
Richard has more than 25 years’ experience in banking and finance. He began his banking career in the mid-1990s with Credit Suisse in New York and London. There he spent three years learning the ropes of commercial finance and lending.
He then spent 12 years with Barclays Bank in London and Hong Kong, where he became Director and Head of Financial Institutions within the bank’s investment banking division. In that role, he was responsible for raising large amounts of debt finance for the bank’s clients, and advising them on balance sheet and capital management.
Despite all the globe-trotting, Richard is an East Anglian boy at heart, having grown up in Essex and Suffolk. He started planning Clear Idea Finance in 2019 and the company began operating in 2020. Richard is passionate about helping business owners, entrepreneurs and property investors and developers to find the finance they need to achieve their goals.
Richard went to Ipswich School (a very long time ago) and has MA and BA (Hons) degrees in Economics from the University of Cambridge.
Paul Mahon – Commercial & Development
Paul is the developer’s developer, with 35+ years’ experience in building, converting, developing and operating commercial and licensed property. He started out at Lombard North Central Bank in asset management, focusing on licensed and commercial developments.
In 2004 he joined Mentor Inns and Mentor Developments as Managing Director, specialising in acquisitions and conversions, building a portfolio of more than 100 licensed freeholds. He acquired sites across the UK to develop and convert to residential and commercial, before managing a portfolio sale.
Paul attended international schools in the West Indies before attending Oldershaw Grammar School and then studying Structural Design and Construction Management at Kingston University. Paul is a Fellow of the British Institute of Innkeeping (FBII).
Proud Sponsors of Ipswich School Rugby!
We're big rugby fans here at Clear Idea so when Ipswich School invited us to become their new corporate partner and kit sponsor, they didn't have to 'try' very hard to convince us. If the 1st XV play half as well as the new shirts look, we're in for a cracking season!
Accreditations & Affiliations
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