“We may not have purchased a strategically important neighbouring farm if it wasn’t for the patience and incredibly hard work and persistence from Nick. The transaction was complex in many ways involving not just the farm purchase, but also a refinance to a new bank. Nick calmly played each ball on its merits until we eventually achieved the desired result. He always under promised and over delivered in every way. His step by step process ensured that nothing was missed along every step of the journey………Not only until the farm was secured, but right through to settlement and beyond.”
Roger van Endhoven & Laurie Kinaston
"Nick has been instrumental in setting and implementing financial strategy in our dairy business and mapping a way forward with our bank. His rural banking knowledge, advocacy and insight in negotiating working capital and debt structure has been invaluable. Nick has helped reduce the stress out of our day to day farming knowing that when it comes to farm finance, we have someone championing from our side of the negotiating table."
Ian Powell & LeAnne Blakelock, Everett Park
“Nick, from OpenGate Finance, first became involved in our business in Jul-22, initially to complete an independent financial review. He then utilised his vast rural banking experience to help us get a much better banking solution with our Bank. His ‘win-win’ negotiation style meant that the Bank was happy and we were able to execute our business plan. Removing that stress from our banking and business was just fantastic!”
Vaughan & Lynne Maaka, Cardiff
“After realising the goal of owning our own farm in 2017 we found that we struggled to come up with a clear set of business and personal goals and aspirations going forward. While the day to day management of the farm was going well, management of other areas of the business suffered.
We asked Nick to work for us as a business coach in 2021 and have found he has had a huge impact on our business.
We now have very clear goals around what we want to achieve, both in our business and personally and our strategy with the bank is very clear which means full support to actually achieve our goals and produce results. Also we have captured the best banking products and price, saving significant margin on term loan and overdraft.”
Lance & Claire Mullin, Pihama
“My long term goal is to increase scale to a more sustainable sheep/beef farm. We recently achieved another step on that journey with the help of OpenGate. We may not have purchased our next farm if it wasn’t for the patience and incredibly hard work and persistence from Nick. Our cashflows, business plan and strategy was presented to the Banks to ensure, most importantly, that finance was approved. However, it also came with the some really good pricing and a new Bank that is great to work with.”
Tommy Lobb, Inglewood
"Nick, from OpenGate Finance, has provided great support to our family. Sale of and then transitioning off the farm has been a major life change for us. Having Nick review our financial position and help us with our planning prior to and after the farm sale has been particularly welcome. He thinks differently to us and his insights, that come with a 20 year rural banking career, eased our financial stress in making these large, life changing decisions. It ensured the very best outcome."
Alastair Snowdon & Tracee Judd, Okato
“Our professional relationship has been more than 20 years! We love working with Nick and with OpenGate Finance for the last 5 years. Nick prides himself on being available. He is there for us when we have an idea we need to throw around. We recently purchased an off-farm investment. Nick was an invaluable part of the due diligence process. His advice and support was just what we needed to make the investment the correct fit for our family.”
Kelvin & Sam Titter
“We recently stepped up from contract milking into a farming partnership. Luckily Nick has more than 20 years of banking/professional experience! The financial and business structure required a lot of support from Nick and OpenGate. Nick continues to play a very active role in helping us improve our financial performance. He is always available when we have a concern or an idea to run past him. Even if it is just something we need to get off our chest!”
Dan Johns & Katya Burling