Uliana Kuzmis

Experienced Development Finance Leader 

Hampshire Trust Bank

Key Achievements:

• Division Restructuring: Led the comprehensive restructuring of the development finance division, introducing innovative operational models that significantly improved efficiency, technical expertise, and specialism. 

• Team Development & Management: Trained and directly managed the underwriting team, ensuring adherence to high standards while delivering superior customer service and safeguarding the bank’s portfolio.
 
• Thought Leadership: Served as a keynote speaker at the highly regarded Development Finance Masterclasses, events inspired by my LinkedIn educational series. Delivered numerous mini masterclasses to brokers on demand and released multiple articles and interviews on technical matters further establishing industry influence.

• Operational Framework Creation: Designed and implemented a comprehensive operational framework, including Development Finance Lending Policy, Underwriting Manual, Valuation Policy, and enhanced credit processes. These innovations improved speed and efficiency, optimising the overall process.

• Industry Recognition: Was instrumental in the elevation of the division from zero industry recognition to award-winning status. Achievements include winning the Best Development Finance Provider with Business Moneyfacts in 2023 and 2024 and receiving the Highly Commended Development Finance Provider at B&C in 2024. The division doubled its credit approvals from 2022 to 2024. 

• Talent Acquisition & Retention: Successfully attracted and retained top-tier talent, transforming a team with high staff turnover and low satisfaction into a cohesive, high-performing unit. By 2024, the team experienced only one regrettable departure, reflecting a supportive and dynamic workplace culture.

•  Brand Rebuilding: Rebuilt the HTB DF team’s brand and reputation within the industry, establishing a strong, credible presence and enhancing the division's standing among peers and clients.

Deputy Managing Director, Development Finance 

Octopus Real Estate

My responsibilities included :

- full management of the Development Light & Refurbishment products; 
- training and management of the underwriting team to ensure we maintain high level of knowledge and expertise, deliver great customer service and comply with AML, GDPR and TCF regulations;
-  training and knowledge share with the sales team to deliver superior level of knowledge at the early stages of our encounter with our customers;
- design and definition of both products in line with the funder requirements and market needs;
- approval of AIPs sub £5m;
- completion sign off and payment authorization;
- all the above while adhering to the unique Octopus values: Be Bold, Be Helpful, Be Straightforward.

In addition I was an Octopus Wellness Ambassador working towards creating an inclusive and diverse working environment where:
- people feel that they can be themselves and they are celebrated for who they are;
- employees are encouraged to realize their full potential while actively looking after their wellbeing; 
- we openly have mental health conversations and employees are not afraid to be vulnerable;
- we provide tools and services required to support Octopus employees on their journey to resilience and superior performance.   

My most successful wellness projects included leading an Endomondo Challenge engaging 400+ Octopus employees in a 3 months fitness competition. The challenge gave us all the much needed boost during lockdown. Men's Mental Health Week where our male employees shared their stories in the most powerful and vulnerable way normalizing mental health conversations.

Head of Development Finance (Light)

This role included:
1) Underwriting development finance deals up to £20m debt size involving complex transactions related to foreign borrowers, overages, non standard loan documents, various procurement methods,  trusts, performance bonds, collateral warranties, mezz and second charge holders involvement and complex source of funds structures.  

2) Delivering regular ongoing training modules on various development finance and refurbishment topics to the main credit and sales teams including specific training/mentoring for development champions within the team. To complement internal training I have facilitated external presentations on:
-Rights of Light, 
-Party Wall Awards
-QS reports;
-How to Read a RoT;
-Valuations;
-Development Appraisals;
-Deeds of Subordination;
-Prime Central London;
-Market Updates from the panel valuers. 

3) Creating Wellness framework for Octopus Real Estate leading the rest of the company to follow our lead in taking care of the mental and physical wellbeing of our staff. I led a small group of 10 wellness champions who each were responsible for various wellness activities including: fitness challenges, mental health webinars, nutrition presentations, organizing terrarium sessions, chair massage sessions,  volunteering together (Food Cycle and other charities), leading environmental projects aiming to reduce our collective impact on environment and more.

Senior Development Finance Underwriter

Credit Manager, Development Finance

Mizrahi-Tefahot Bank

The role included providing full range of property finance solutions to the customers from the initial enquiry all the way to completion, portfolio management and repayment. This included preparation and presentation of the credit papers to credit committee following underwriting, assessment of the risks and deal structuring. The role also includes management of the existing portfolio including annual reviewing of the borrower's position and exposure while ensuring that the existing financial and other covenants are satisfied. Site visits were undertaken on a regular basis including assessment of suitability of the property for lending purposes and bank's risk appetite. The product range included development finance, commercial assets and BTL portfolios.

Property Finance Account Relationship Manager

The role included management of the Israeli Mortgages Department. The department is responsible for providing finance to UK borrowers against residential property assets in Israel.

Head of Israeli Mortgages Department

ARM in Israeli branch takes care of all the financial needs of individual and small-medium size companies related to the retail banking. This includes credit requirement, investment activity needs and day to day management of the account.

Account Relationship Manager

This role included full management of the mortgages branch in Eilat, Israel. The main focus was on initiation of new deals, completion of the existing deals in the pipeline and daily training of a personnel in the branch. As a branch manager, one has to accept full responsibly for the funds being released to the borrower on the completion of the deal and ensure the process all the way through is in line with the bank's credit policy and manual. The role also included day to day management of the branch, motivation of the team and addressing the client's special requirements or needs.

Branch Manager

Twice the winner of the Best Development Finance Provider Award at Business Moneyfacts Awards 2023 & 2024. Power List winner with Bridging & Commercial 2024, Elite Women Award winner 2024. 

An energetic and passionate credit and real estate specialist with over 20 years of experience in underwriting, development finance and credit risk. 

My latest position was in the Development Finance team at Hampshire Trust Bank as the Deputy Managing Director leading a team of talented and driven individuals who all are looking to take the bank to the next level. 

I deeply care about wellness and looking after my team. My main objective is to create a positive and supporting environment providing employees with tools to improve their mental health & help them to look after themselves. 

I am always available to talk, so please reach out by messaging me if you would like to know more about how I can assist.

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