COFFEE BREAK WITH...Steph Mckeown - Finance Consultant - Christie Finance Unsecured & Asset Finance

When did you join Christie Finance? 

September 2024 (I returned after leaving for three years to pursue a career as a residential mortgage advisor)

Where were you when you accepted your role at Christie Finance? 

At my friend’s wedding, I had to sneak out just before the bride and groom entered the wedding breakfast room to take the call! Double celebrations that day!

What was your first job? 

I worked as a waitress in a restaurant

In a couple of sentences, can you tell us a bit about your job at Christie Finance? 

I work with all sectors across the UK providing Unsecured and Asset Finance for business expansion and equipment purchase plans.

What’s your favourite thing about Christie Finance? 

The team I work with in Chester and the wider Christie Finance group, I enjoy my job role as we help businesses by providing essential funds to grow.

What's a favourite project that you’ve worked on at Christie Finance so far? 

A pharmacist who was purchasing their first pharmacy, the one they currently worked at, due to the owner wanting to retire, we provided unsecured finance to assist renovate the premises and create a consultation room, new reception area, shop floor, shelving units, lighting and new signage, including staff room and kitchen facilities. I also provided them with a cash flow facility to bridge the gap between NHS income as part of the pharmacy’s growth plan.

Who in your industry do you feel most inspired by? 

My team

Tell us a bit about your life outside work – what are your hobbies?

I love to Travel, I use up my holiday allowance before the year has even started! I also love live music and going to gigs, festivals and concerts.

What’s your hometown? Where do you live now? 

My hometown is West Kirby on the Wirral but I have lived in Chester since 2021

Where’s the best place you’ve been on holiday? 

That is a difficult question, I do love a beach holiday and visited the Caribbean this year. However, after studying Gaudi at sixth form, I really loved going to Barcelona for a city break for my 30^th and visiting the Sagrada Familia, Park Guell and La Pedrera Casa Milla to name a few. We stayed in the W hotel right on the beach, it was beautiful.

If you could live and work in any city, where would you go? 

Sydney, I used to live there and love that the city is not far from the beach.

What would be your desert island meal? 

Starter: Trio of ceviche with corn chips
Main: Medium rare fillet steak, dauphinoise potatoes, tenderstem broccoli and peppercorn sauce
Dessert: Sticky toffee pudding with vanilla ice-cream.

What’s your favourite film?

Blue Crush, I always wanted to be a surfer girl who lived in a hut on a beach.

Tell us your favourite joke / What is your favourite movie quote? 

What did one snowman say to the other snowman, ‘can you smell carrots’

What is one thing on your bucket list? 

To go to Vietnam and South America, I am going to Vietnam this year for two weeks travelling from Hanoi down the coast to Ho Chi Minh City, the highlight of the trip will be going to Ha Long Bay on a two day cruise, which has been a dream of mine for 20 years! South America next year!

What is your biggest fear? 

Butterflies and moths, I am terrified of them

What news source do you read every day? 

BBC news on Instagram and I listen to the radio to hear the news in the morning

What’s your social media platform of choice? 

Instagram

To read more of our “Coffee Break with…” blog posts, click here.