An interview with Michael Clifford, founder of Liberty Funding

We recently interviewed Michael Clifford, who has founded Liberty Funding, a newly launched specialist finance brokerage.

What is your background and experience in the property industry?

I left school and attended college, studying accounting for a year, before spending approximately a decade working for a family office with its own property finance division. In that role, I served as an underwriter, primarily reviewing bridging and development finance transactions. Over those ten years, I gained extensive experience in private client lending, covering markets in the UK, Monaco, the UAE, and Malta. This experience provided me with a solid foundation in structuring complex deals and addressing the bespoke requirements of high-net-worth and international clients.

Can you tell us a bit about your business and what you do?

I established my own brokerage, Liberty Funding, in March 2025, specialising in bespoke lending solutions for complex borrower profiles. Our core services include bridging finance, development finance, secured and unsecured business loans, and funding for clients with offshore status, intricate ownership structures, or a limited UK presence. In addition, we provide specialist asset-backed finance, such as supercar and art lending, alongside standalone litigation funding solutions. In our first two months of trading, I have reviewed over £100 million in loan applications. My focus is on delivering fast, discreet, and results-driven outcomes tailored to the needs of sophisticated borrowers.

Who are your typical clients and how do you market your service?

I work primarily with family offices, legal advisors, and leading accountancy firms to structure funding that meets the specific requirements of global clients acquiring or refinancing UK real estate, particularly in London’s super-prime postcodes. Much of my business is generated through referrals and long-standing professional relationships. I prioritise trust, responsiveness, and the delivery of added value to all parties involved in a transaction.

How did you first cross paths with Newmanor Law?

I first encountered Newmanor Law during my time at the family office, but more recently I was introduced to Karen Mason, one of the firm’s founders and partners. We met over a drink in London to discuss the lending market, other law firms, lenders, and ways in which we could collaborate to support our respective clients. It was a valuable discussion about the importance of partnership and mutual support within the industry.

More recently, I met again with Karen, this time joined by James Dakin, another senior partner at Newmanor Law. We spoke further about our shared interest in commercial lending and discussed practical ways in which we can work together and refer business to one another. This collaborative approach is something I actively pursue with other law firms on a regular basis.

What are the key challenges currently facing the real estate sector and how are you addressing them?

One of the primary challenges is ensuring borrowers remain focused and committed to progressing their transactions, particularly for smaller loan sizes, where engagement can be inconsistent. To address this, I place strong emphasis on clear communication, managing expectations around costs and timelines from the outset, and helping clients understand the importance of acting decisively in a competitive funding environment.

What trends do you foresee shaping the real estate industry in the coming years?

I expect the market to remain highly segmented, with robust demand in prime and super-prime locations, while some other areas may face challenges due to elevated financing costs and changing buyer expectations. One notable trend is the ongoing shift away from traditional real estate asset classes such as retail and office, toward the living sector, which many investors now view as offering a more favourable long-term investment outlook.

We are also likely to see greater use of complex deal structures as clients navigate tax, regulatory, and cross-border considerations. Additionally, environmental and sustainability requirements will play an increasingly important role, particularly in development finance. For brokers and lenders, this will mean delivering highly tailored solutions, maintaining speed and responsiveness, and working closely with legal advisors to complete transactions in what is likely to remain a nuanced and demanding market.

Quote of the Month

During my recent meeting with Karen and James, I shared a quote from a client that I posted via my LinkedIn, part of a new monthly feature I’ve started to highlight the realities of life as a broker. It gives a light-hearted, but real, view of some of the enquiries we receive and the challenges we navigate.

“Hi Michael. I need a more flexible situation. There are no assets or deposits available, and no opportunity to pay origination fees. So we cannot use typical methods.”

Life as a broker… you’ve got to admire the optimism. If you do have assets, deposits, and fees—then please feel free to reach out!