Meet Me – Our US Regional Head, Jack Trowbridge

Our wannabe kite-surfer on being an entrepreneur, winding down through sport and overseeing our US expansion and international growth strategy…

What do you do at Growth Lending?

I’m currently busy launching Growth Lending over in the US, so I’m wearing many hats which include sales, operations, legal, recruitment and the rest..!

We have our first office up and running in Atlanta, where Senior Vice President Keith Kirkland is in situ – and we have just hired Jeremy Talton in Houston, Texas. The plan is to roll out other offices during the course of the year and we are also exploring Amsterdam and a push into Europe.

What was your first job?

I was part of the founding team of the alternative lender GapCap, helping to start and build the business over six years, before the brand became part of what is now Growth Lending. I’m enjoying the freedom to be entrepreneurial within a larger group: it allows me to try new ideas, while benefiting from the foundations of a more established set-up.

What’s special about Growth Lending?

We have a team of forward-thinking people and everyone has a can-do attitude. At Growth Lending, everyone tries to make the wheels spin as quickly as possible. There’s an all-for-one, one-for-all feeling and if you have that ethos, your business will continue to evolve.

Which item can you not work without?

My AirPods. I spend a lot of time on the phone and when I talk, I walk – so without my AirPods, I’d be stuck in my seat all day.

How do you spend your leisure time?

Whether it’s watching or playing, sport has been a constant for me. I play football three times a week, although as I get older, the youngsters are starting to run rings around me.

Which football team do you support?

Liverpool – through the ups and the downs. We have had more ups than downs recently which has been nice and long may it continue!

What’s on your bucket list?

I want to learn to kite-surf. I’ve done the theoretical learning part, which is really dull – it’s like passing your theory test before you learn to drive – so now I need to give it a go and see where I end up. If you find me splattered against the White Cliffs of Dover, I’ve misjudged the wind.

Given £100m to spend or invest, what’s the first thing you would do?

I wouldn’t want to retire, as I would drive both myself and everyone else up the wall. Perhaps buy a football club, but in the current market I might need a little more than £100m..!

Get in touch with Jack over email or connect with him on LinkedIn.