Alena Walker

An accomplished finance professional with 17 years of experience in Business Operations and Underwriting for a private family office. Specialising in bespoke short-term property finance, film acquisitions, and tax credit lending. My approach and management are defined by rigorous credit analysis, thorough AML/KYC due diligence, and the ability to execute time-critical transactions.

I pride myself on building strong working relationships with stakeholders to ensure seamless delivery and a high standard of compliance. Having spent the last several years focused on bridging and development property finance, I am currently studying for CeMAP (FSRE1, FSRE2, MRT1 completed with Distinction) and seeking to transition into a Mortgage Adviser/Broker role.

Underwriter at Buzz Capital Group (2019-01 – Present)

Specialist Lender – Property Bridging and Development and Creative Tax Credit Lending.

• Case Management: Underwriting bridging and short-term B2B residential/commercial property loans and Tax Credit lending, ranging from £75k–£1m.
• Credit & Risk: Conduct credit analysis and due diligence, including high-level AML/KYC assessments, to maintain firm and FCA AML regulatory compliance; formally undertaking the role of MLRO since 2022.
• Due Diligence: Research borrower background and experience and feasibility, ensuring all transactions are aligned with internal risk appetite and regulatory standards.
• Stakeholder Collaboration: A central point of contact for brokers, solicitors, and valuers to safely expedite time-critical transactions.
• Operational Excellence: Delivering a calm, structured approach to high-volume workloads, consistently meeting tight deadlines while upholding internal lending policies.
• Operational Efficiency: Proactively restructured internal templates and hand-off processes, including Customer Risk Assessments, Business-Wide Risk Assessments, Source of Wealth/Funds procedures, KYC guidance, A&L statements and ongoing internal Training/Awareness.

Business Operations and Director at Bulldog Film Distribution Limited (2020-01 – Present)

A fully independent film distributor releasing films across all platforms in the UK and Ireland. Focused on the business and legal affairs for all acquisitions, ensuring that the chain of title, financial and legal considerations are in place for the successful delivery of Film, TV, and Documentary releases. Appointed as a Director in January 2025.

Acquisition and Marketing Operations at Premiere Picture (2009-01 – 2019-12)

Specialist Lender – Film Finance

• Investor Relations & Client Management: Served as the primary point of contact for all clients/investors involved in film acquisition rights across a substantial portfolio of films.
• Event Production & Representation: Executed high-profile stakeholder events, including investor set visits, film screenings, and representation at the Cannes Film Festival.
• Executive Production & Fund Management: Acted as Executive Producer for multiple documentaries, sourcing commercial projects and securing funding utilising structured SEIS/EIS tax incentives. I was also responsible for maintaining strict budgetary control and financial oversight on each production.

• 2:1 BA (Hons) Television Production degree (Buckinghamshire Chilterns University, 2006).
• Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance - (LIBF - 2024).
• CPD Certificates: AML (2024), Credit Control (2024), Financial Statements Fraud Detection (2025), Business Law (2025), Financial Advisor (2025), Understanding Financial Statements and Analysis (2025), Contract Law & Consumer Protection (2026).
• Webinars/Seminars: Specialist Property Lending, Financial Crime, Data Protection and Compliance.
• CeMAP: FSRE1, FSRE2, MRT1 completed with Distinction (LIBF – Ongoing 2026).