Our People | Meet Andre Parcian

As Redwood’s Head of Business Development for the Midlands and Wales, Liverpool fan Andre says he loves it when he can get a deal over the line. Away from work, the dad of two boys is proud of his charity fundraising and gives up some of his spare time supporting local junior grass roots football.

Where did your career take you before Redwood?

I spent 20 years at NatWest bank, where I progressed to Business Development Manager, supporting commercial finance brokers across the Midlands. Having done this for five or six years, I decided it was time for a change and after discussions with Leon Marklew and Gary Wilkinson, I decided Redwood Bank was a really good fit for me at this point of my life and career. 

What does an average day look like for you?

There is no average day here at Redwood! Every day brings lots of exciting opportunities and interaction with some really good and experienced commercial finance brokers across the UK. I receive a significant number of lending referrals, so a large part of my working week is spent progressing the cases we can support through to completion stage. I enjoy meeting new and existing brokers and supporting the Bank’s ambitious growth plans.

What do you think is the most important quality to have as a Business Development Manager?

I would say resilience is the key. Quite often with lending applications, there are multiple facets of the deal that can change or need more input from external sources, such as solicitors or valuers. Having the right team here at Redwood means we can react and meet the demands of the customer. I would also say openness and honesty with our broker partners is important; if we cannot find the right solution to a proposition then we say ‘no’ and move on to the next one and equally when we say ‘yes’, we proceed as planned.

What is your favourite part of the job?

When deals finally complete and get over the line is the best part of the job. That’s when you know you have a happy customer and broker, which also results in another lending customer for us. We also have a great business development team at Redwood and I enjoy interacting with my work colleagues; we are very driven and ambitious, but also we have a laugh along the way.

If you could turn back the clock, what advice would you give your younger self?

That’s a tough question. I would say reach out to as many people and ask for as much as advice as possible, especially from people who you meet and trust and admire. I’ve been lucky to get some really good career advice from people I have worked with in the past.  

Tell us about an achievement you’re most proud of...

A few years ago, my wife and I raised more than £10,000 in one year for two charities that mean a lot to us and our family. We organised a charity ball, which was attended by more than 200 people and supported by around 30 local businesses. I also ran a half marathon to raise further funds later in the year.

What do you like to do outside of the office?

I have a passion for most sports, especially football, and like a lot of staff at Redwood I am an avid Liverpool FC fan. Over the past seven years I have also coached and managed junior grassroots football teams and currently support both my sons football teams.
I am a keen gym goer (although this has become a forced hobby as the older you get the harder it is to stay fit!). We have a cockapoo called Woody and my wife and I and our two boys enjoy going with him on family walks. 
I’m also a big Peaky Blinders fan and especially enjoy Gary Wilkinson’s impressions of the entire Shelby family!