Mark Higgins

• Specialised in commercial and residential finance.
• Skilled in bridging and HNW development finance.
• Experienced in structuring finance arrangements for new developments, refurbishments, and conversions.
• High upsell of appropriate protection products.
• Oversaw a diverse client base in both residential and commercial sectors.
• Banked revenue in excess of £190,000 per annum.
• Secured diverse financial products, including loans, mortgages, and remortgages.
• Adapted financial strategies to align with clients' evolving circumstances and objectives.
• Liaised with insurers to arrange suitable protection policies for clients, covering life, health, and income.
• Collaborated with accountants, solicitors, and other professionals to provide comprehensive estate planning services.
• Resolved complex financial queries from clients, delivering solutions that met their bespoke needs.
• Prepared detailed reports and presentations for clients, highlighting potential financial opportunities and risks.

• Operated as a Financial Planning Domain Expert, creating real-life tasks for Mercor AI clients.
• Wrote the tasks with real-life first-hand experience on a step-by-step basis for AI training.
• Used experience as an adviser, manager, and firm owner to create a multitude of scenarios for AI training
• Achieved service time and quality targets.
• Prepared range of written communications, documents and reports.
• Developed excellent working knowledge of industry trends and improvements in processes.

Opened a financial planning business, Birchwood Wealth, in January 2022, following a move to Cornerstone Finance Group Ltd and establishing a business relationship with True Potential LLP.

• Addressed customer complaints and feedback with prompt and effective solutions, maintaining a high level of customer service.
• Employed a Financial Planner and set about growing a wealth business.
• This arm of the business concentrated on pensions, pension transfers, wealth management, and estate planning.
• I grew the Wealth side of the business to £11m AUM by June 2023, and it was sold due to a colleague's retirement.
• Continue with new business production and referrals from well-connected introducers.
• I have built and continue to maintain relationships with introducers, including estate agents, solicitors, accountancy firms, and payroll companies that I have retained for several years and from which I attain a consistent flow of new business.
• Participated in business development efforts by identifying new or additional revenue opportunities with current clients.
• Controlled expenses and allocated financial resources to reach budget goals.
• Maintained accurate records for operations, inventory, income and expenses.
• Managed financial operations, including budget planning, expense tracking, and forecasting to maintain financial health.
• Provided organisational leadership and established business vision to achieve sales, profit and revenue goals.

• Broke away from a Franchised Business to set up a new Estate Agency & Financial Services Network in August 2012, took on the role of Managing Director with a focus on recruitment of like minded property and financial professionals to offer all consumers a one stop Estate Agency and Financial Services Proposition
• The Estate Agency Arm was Scottish Property Centre and the Financial Services Arm Mortgage Advice Bureau
• Grew the network to 13 Locations (Branches) within 12 months and secured income generating partnerships as well as reciprocal referral work for the whole network with Solicitors, Surveyors and Financial Services professionals
• Developed sales and compliance strategies, positively impacting staff and consumers whilst growing market share to number 1 position for sales volume for each geographical location where we had an SPC location
• Opened a Bespoke Mortgage Brokerage to service Scottish Property Centre Locations and this also included a branded High Street Mortgage Brokerage, had around ten (10) brokers
• Facilitated the continued progression of both sales agents, letting agents, and Mortgage Advisers through dedicated approach to training, integration, development and continual recruitment and development
• Delivered an exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions before identifying the very best member of staff (or department )was best equipped to provide the client solution
• Provided effective and efficient business solution that encapsulated a "One Stop" solution to all property and financial services consumers needs to aid progression in line with Network targets.
• Carried out essential development training to improve day-to-day income generating operations with Branch Managers and Business Owners on Sales, Lettings and Financial Services
• Drove ancillary income opportunities as a key requisite of any branch so that their reliance on estate agency income was lessened (mortgages, protection products, tenants referencing, Home reports, conveyancing, wills & POA for example)
• Coordinated with Branch Managers and Team Leaders to ensure the effective implementation of any regulatory and compliance requirements as laid out by local or national government
• Developed expertise and knowledge in Estate Agency & Financial Services to ensure consistent delivery of outstanding services.
• Developed Sales and marketing strategies, positively impacting sales staff and consumers whilst growing market share.
• Continually met Income targets through dedication to marketing strategy and continued development of all network sales staff.
• Led and contributed to market and business development activities, identifying and pursuing new potential client services opportunities.
• Conducted financial analysis, researched business agreements and negotiated critical contracts.
• Met individually with employees to offer feedback and insight on job tasks based on careful review.
• Increased efficiency, effectiveness and profitability by managing team productivity, costs and budgets.
• Conducted financial analysis to manage risks and benefits.
• Established professional relationships with business partners, shareholders and authorities to develop trust, rapport and reliability.
• Sold the whole business in September 2018

• Managing Director and Firm Principal of a seven-man financial planning business (plus admin support) concentrating on life, pensions, investments, and savings.
• Venture was integrated with a franchised RE/MAX Estate Agency business, which was utilised for introducing clients for investment, pensions, and mortgages to the financial planning arm.
• Funded many introducer initiatives by cultivating strong partnerships and stakeholder relationships to drive continued growth.
• Met deadlines by proactively managing individual and team tasks, and implementing sales and marketing processes.
• Recruited, interviewed, hired, and trained 10 employees, and implemented a mentoring programme to promote positive feedback and engagement.
• Ensured consistent adherence to FCA regulations and legislation to maintain regulatory compliance.
• Carried out essential one to one sessions to improve day-to-day adviser operations.
• Coordinated with Compliance Officer to ensure the effective implementation of Sales & Marketing Strategies.
• Delivered an exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions.
• Developed Introducer strategies, positively impacting referrals whilst growing core business.
• Facilitated the continued progression of trainee Advisers through dedicated approach to CAS.
• Counselled clients on financial matters and provide recommendations investment opportunities, products and services based on client needs and asset availability.
• Identified client financial goals and risk tolerance to recommend appropriate products.
• Consulted with clients to assess and meet short- and long-term financial goals.
• Promoted business to increase customer base and grow revenue.
• Developed and deepened relationships with new and existing clients.
• Grew and maintained client base to maximise revenue.
• Whole estate agency and FS Business Sold to an IFA group 2004
• Achieved client financial objectives within agreed timescales.

• Number 1 Financial Adviser in Scotland and Number 3 in UK for Total Commission Income, £120,000 plus
• Provided effective and efficient Sales Tactics solutions to aid progression in line with company targets.
• Developed expertise and knowledge in protection and investment to ensure consistent delivery of outstanding results and services.
• Facilitated the continued progression of my personal PA through dedicated approach to one to one daily briefings.
• Received consistently positive feedback for excellent service, continually working with energy and enthusiasm and recognised as the top earning adviser in Scotland
• Ensured consistent adherence to Compliance regulations and legislation to maintain agreed compliance.
• Managed the coordination of client prospecting to ensure consistent smooth running of my diary and business.
• Carried out essential marketing, prospecting and referral gathering techniques to improve day-to-day client gathering operations.
• Delivered an exceptional level of service to each customer by listening to concerns and answering questions and providing solutions
• Continually met Income targets through dedication to diary tasks. client gathering and continued professional development.
• Built and maintained courteous and effective working relationships.
• Actively listened to customers to fully understand requests and address concerns.
• Planned and executed new strategies to increase sales.
• Developed excellent working knowledge of industry trends and improvements in processes.

• Raised customer satisfaction helping to build lasting relationships with customers.
• Managed 6 individuals while leading startup of defined sales region.
• Planned and developed strategies to increase sales and territory or market positioning for Wesleyan Asurance.
• Managed regional sales staff of 8 members.
• Generated monthly and annual sales reports.
• Supervised, coached, and mentored 8-member staff.
• Worked closely with marketing department to optimise strategic initiatives.
• Tracked weekly sales to develop senior leadership reports for business development planning.
• Created and directed sales team training and development courses.
• Managed employee performance reviews to build communication and deliver sales insights.
• Mitigated financial discrepancies by monitoring key indicators to implement corrective action.
• Boosted team morale and overall sales volume by creating incentivising sales contests.
• Created and implemented sales training and processes to deliver Company targets.
• Supported branding initiatives and developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to drive target demographic interest, increase visibility and maximise outreach.
• Streamlined hiring processes, including identifying and staffing top talent, training new team members on best practices and protocol and managing employees to maintain optimal productivity.
• Improved attainment of key performance indicators through development and implementation of Sales & Marketing initiatives.
• Secured sales targets by building successful sales teams, preparing yearly sales and marketing budgets and implementing strategic action plans.
• Drove revenue and profit margins through exceptional customer service, implementing protocols and investigating sales reports for speedy resolution.

• Participated in weekly meetings with advisers to discuss strategy effectiveness.
• Supported branding initiatives, developed innovative sales and marketed programmes to drive target demographic interest, increase visibility and maximise outreach.
• Supported branding initiatives and developed innovative sales and marketing strategies to drive target demographic interest, increase visibility and maximise outreach.
• Interviewed applicants and identified viable candidates based on enthusiasm and ability to project positive image.
• Educated customers on available processes and services.
• Networked with local business owners to increase sales opportunities.
• Initiated and elevated new business opportunities by implementing effective networking strategies.
• Exceeded sales goals and improved profitability by developing sales strategies and business plans according to market trends.
• Retained existing customers and substantially grew customer base, product line and sales volume.
• Recruited and trained new staff members and produced employee schedules.
• Led sales calls with team members to establish sales and customer retention goals.
• Drove business development by cultivating strong supplier relationships and executing benefit-orientated sales presentations to prospects.
• Secured sales targets by building successful sales teams, preparing yearly sales and marketing budgets and implementing strategic action plans.