My 6 weeks at Puma Capital Group have been amazing. From day one, I was welcomed by everyone - whether it was people introducing themselves in the kitchen or Eliot Kaye, one of the Managing Directors of Puma Property Finance, taking me for a walk on my first day, the company’s superb culture was on full display.

Whilst over the course of my internship I was exposed to many different aspects of the business, I spent the majority of my time with the property finance team. As a sector agnostic lender, the team introduced me to a variety of deals ranging from build to rent schemes to care homes. This meant that each day was unique, allowing me to develop a deep understanding of the subsectors within the property finance industry.

The PPF team ensured I understood the intricacies behind development facilities. I learned how to critically evaluate the viability of different developments across the UK, understanding how one should go about analysing and mitigating potential risks. I was also taken through how to assess potential deals right from initial due diligence to approval by the credit committee and then onto the ongoing management post-drawdown. Not only was it fascinating to see the level of scrutiny a deal had to withstand in order to gain final approval, but it also honed my attention to detail. This is a quality that will, without question, be useful regardless of what sector my future career is in.

I also had the opportunity to visit two sites, which was incredibly interesting. It allowed me to see firsthand the projects I had been reading about in the office. The experience highlighted the importance of questioning minute details to ensure a project stays on track.

Given that the origination and legal teams work together in the finalisation of any development facility (and beyond), I had the opportunity to observe Puma’s in-house legal counsel. I attended meetings with them, learning about the crucial role they play in the execution process of a deal and the importance of the Loan Market Association (LMA) documentation. I also got to see firsthand how they work tirelessly to ensure that Puma’s interests­, as the lender, are always protected.

One of the most significant things that stood out about the PPF team was how central the spirit of collaboration was to the group. Colleagues would often bounce ideas off one another to tackle issues that arose during deals. This created an environment of continuous learning and problem solving. As an intern, this allowed me to see how a team effort was essential in addressing challenges with a deal.

In addition, the team worked with me to develop my technical skills. Studying a non-finance degree, this was an area I was keen to focus on, and my managers were more than willing to assist. Louise was exceptional in guiding me through cash flows and enhancing my Excel skills by providing weekly classes. She also ensured that I could review the documents evidencing a business’s financial statements, allowing me to identify potential weaknesses in borrowers. Chris was outstanding at walking me through deals especially when roadblocks presented themselves. His welcoming demeanour made me feel comfortable asking as many questions as I needed to fully understand a deal. Both my mangers’ eagerness and patience in my development is a direct reflection of the culture at Puma.

Overall, my experience at Puma Capital Group has been incredibly fulfilling. The supportive culture and diverse deal opportunities have allowed me to get the most out of my time at the firm.  Whilst I would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone at Puma, I am deeply grateful to Louise, Chris, Eliot and Cara for their unwavering support and guidance throughout this journey.