Beyond the Drawdown: How Keisi Morina is Redefining Portfolio Management at LendInvest

For Keisi Morina, Portfolio Manager at LendInvest, a development site is never just a plot of land or a run-down building. “You’re envisioning the plans for it and how it will be delivered,” she says.

With a passion for property, Keisi brings a hands-on and proactive approach to development finance. Rather than simply reviewing a project at individual drawdowns, her priority is maintaining a continuous understanding of a deal’s health.

“My core focus is to continually build a picture of the project as it progresses,” she explains. Whether it’s questioning if a contingency is being requested too early, ensuring construction dates are met or verifying that building contracts are called out in a reasonable timeframe, Keisi’s strategy is rooted in staying ahead of the curve.

Problem Solving in the Trenches

In the unpredictable world of property development, challenges are inevitable. Yet for Keisi, finding pathways through those challenges is exactly where she thrives, especially when the numbers don’t come back quite as expected. 

“More often than not, development costs can be higher than anticipated, or the GDV lowers,” she notes. “Coming up with solutions to make the loan work within our lending parameters, while still managing risk appropriately, is where I really thrive.”

“Although I’m still waiting for that perfect scenario to land on my desk,” she jokingly adds.

When unexpected supply chain bottlenecks or operational hurdles do arise on a live site, Keisi’s first instinct isn’t to send an email; it’s to put on her boots. “The first step is often to get out on site and see the situation for myself,” she says. “Meeting the borrower in person, walking the site together and understanding the issue first-hand gives you a much better perspective. 

Then, ideally, we can grab a cup of coffee and talk through the problem and potential solutions”

Navigating Market Dynamics

The emphasis on approachability and open dialogue is particularly vital given the current UK property development landscape. While rising construction costs are a well-known hurdle, Keisi points to planning delays as a major stress test for modern developments. From CIL costs and archaeological reports to pre-commencement conditions, local authorities are stretched, and these delays can significantly impact a construction programme before a project has even properly started.

How are resilient SME developers adapting? For Keisi, it all comes down to early communication. 

“The earlier a potential delay or cost pressure is identified, the more opportunity there is to understand the impact and work towards a solution,” she says. “Developers who are proactive and communicate early come out on top. It is so important for developers to regularly review their programmes and costs rather than relying on the assumptions made at the start of a project.”

A Forward-Thinking Team

Ultimately, this collaborative, solution-oriented mindset is exactly what drew Keisi to LendInvest.

“What drew me to LendInvest was its focus on the borrower,” she reflects. “I was excited by the opportunity to join a business that is forward-thinking while still being closely involved in the property and development sector.”

As Keisi dives into LendInvest’s current pipeline, her focus remains on building stronger relationships with borrowers and leveraging the collective expertise of her colleagues.

“We have a lot of intelligent and experienced people who work closely together, and everyone is focused on finding the right solution for the borrower while making sure we take the right approaches to managing the risks involved,” she says. 

“Ultimately, it’s about being approachable, working as a team and being willing to have the difficult conversations needed to get a positive outcome.”