Partners Personal Profiles.
Mark Bracegirdle – FCCA, FMAAT
I am married with two grown up children. My wife is a farmer’s daughter, my daughter is a musician and teacher and my son is a vet. I am immensely proud of them.
Before starting my career in commerce, I did a variety of things, in my formative years: working as a gardener and farm labourer to assembling gas meters, working in a green grocers and a land surveying office before settling on accountancy as an objective, rather than a career. I do not fit the common view of an accountant, although it is a qualification that has been put to good use for my customers providing, as it does, business acumen and meticulousness.
Having qualified, in 1985, I spent several years in commerce, as an accountant and commercial director before I started a finance broking business in 1990 and this has continued, in different forms, to where it is today.
I have, safe be it to say, been round the block a few times and have a wealth of experience in our specialist sector of the finance industry. I have been treasurer and supporter of our local church in Bosley, which is a rural parish, and in autumn 2012 I was appointed as an expert witness in a divorce case involving a mortgage for a property with an agricultural restriction which, in our sector, we see a lot of.
I am often asked why I continue to operate the business in the way that I have since 1990 – that is in a small and hands on way. The answer is simple but two-fold; firstly, it is important that our customers deal with the right people and secondly, my closeness to home has meant being able to watch my children grow up.
Bringing Mark A into the organisation was the right thing to do as he shares the same values of honesty and integrity that I believe in.
We love the countryside and we know why people want to live in it and what makes rural folk tick. When you talk to us, you won’t find it like talking to the bank manager or a lawyer but real people with whom you can do business.
We hope we are the natural choice to arrange your farm finance.
Mark Andrew
My career in finance is long and varied.
I started my career in banking with Lloyds Bank at age 16 and worked up to chief clerk. At 23 I decided that that branch banking was not for me, and I moved into asset finance where I spent over 20 years working for the major high street banks and latterly for a European bank.
Age 45 I decided that I needed a change of direction, and my friend Mark Bracegirdle had been suggesting that I join him, so I made the leap into self-employment.
I have known Mark for well over 30 years. We met through a business appointment, and we clicked through our mutual love of fishing. We share the same ethos, values and outlook and work together well and our wives also became great friends.
Out of work I am a keen angler, I golf (badly) and love spending time outdoors particularly on the beach. I have two rescued Golden Retrievers and am very fond of the breed having had 6, 5 of them being rescued. I have been married to my wife Sharon for 37 years.
I love collaborating with the rural community and helping people achieve their dreams or solve their problems. Mark and I bring honesty, experience, and integrity to what can be a difficult job.
