Posted by on
09/07/2021
Mark Northcott
Senior Rural Manager
Over his 30 year career in agricultural services Mark Northcott has borne witness to enormous progression across the local industry – but he’s no sideline bystander.
Through his role as a Senior Rural Manager with Rabobank at Kadina, South Australia, Mark personifies the passion of a good agribusiness lending professional, helping facilitate growth and vision for farming clients.
And he’s rightly proud of the fact that his close client relationship has contributed in part to their farming success.
“If I’m able to assist my clients make money, or save money, no matter how large or small, it’s really rewarding knowing I’m helping them on their agribusiness journey.”
From seed variety progression and adoption of modern farming techniques such as direct drilling, Mark has watched local agriculture – predominantly lentils, wheat and barley production – evolve to where it is today.
With new ways, comes new capital requirements, and Mark said he’s felt honoured to help ensure the region’s farmers remain a step ahead of the game.
“Whether it’s financing on-farm storage infrastructure, plant and equipment or expansion, the bank is part of every farmers growth story, and it’s always extremely encouraging watching rural businesses thrive.”
He said this support was equally important, if not more, during times of adversity.
“I’m there 100 per cent during the good times and times of adversity, providing customers with options for their business that enable them to make a fully-informed decision,” Mark said. “I enjoy knowing my clients are comfortable in the fact they can ring me for trusted guidance, any time.”
Mark has been with Rabobank for almost two years – the bank’s ag-based goals and objectives in line with his own.
“Being able to focus solely on agribusiness is such an important point of difference, my role is not trying to be everything to everyone, which is so refreshing.”
South Australian born and bred, Mark is a keen community man, and dedicated to a number of local organisations and events, such as being a committee member for the biannual Yorke Peninsula Field Days.
While he laughs that he doesn’t have much spare time, when he does he can also be found contributing to the local high school board as treasurer, and was previously the primary school chairman for six years.
With his daughter now 21 and son 17, his years of volunteering for school and sporting activities may be winding down – but he is certainly not.
For the past 17 years Mark has been a member of the local Agricultural Bureau for South Australia, a not-for-profit organisation run by farmers, for farmers to help showcase and promote development and education across the industry.
“I’m always learning, and have a keen interest in the farmers’ points of view, it’s always good to take the bank shirt off and be involved at a more personal level through these sort of networks, and I hope to become further involved in the rural advocacy space.”
Adding to his list of credentials is small business owner, with his family owning a local jewellery shop.
“Having a business ourselves has certainly helped me empathise with small business owners, and while my wife runs the business mainly, I help out with cash flows and profit and loss statements, it’s given me a great appreciation for the practicalities of running a business” Mark said.
Passionate about business, his community and his clients, Mark considers his clients’ businesses as if they were his own.
“There’s nothing better than creating value for clients, and making them aware of ways that they can save on interest costs and new and innovative products and services that they may not have been aware of. I love the fact that my clients see me as more than just a rural lender.”