Meet Mark Stevenson, the billion-dollar-broker bringing small town values into the world of finance.
Founder and Managing Director of Evolve Lending in Parramatta, Stevenson’s upbringing has shaped the way he conducts business in Sydney’s second city.
“I grew up around O’Connell and Black Springs in the central west of New South Wales on 25 acres and it was the best upbringing,” Stevenson recounted.
“My dad was a management accountant; he was very numbers based and he worked for truck companies. He used to love working with very down-to-earth people. I think I get that from him.
“My stepfather was a farmer and had a bull broking business in Oberon, so I think a lot of my ethics and my way of going about things came from him. I also had a really good business studies teacher at school who I looked up to.”
Prior to moving into his office at 3 Parramatta Square, the broker worked in Sydney’s CBD with Bell Partners. The finance guru believes Parramatta is a better location when it comes to vibrancy, business, and his target audience.
“I’m passionate about helping the people that need it,” Stevenson explained.
“I’ve been fortunate to work with a lot of clients with a very high net worth, and I’ve also been very lucky to work with people who are buying their first car or buying their first home. I like being able to say that it doesn’t matter if you’re coming in for a $5,000 personal loan or a $5 million property purchase – you get the same service.
“It’s all about helping as many people as possible and treating every client the same.”
Stevenson became a broker in 2011 with Mortgage Choice until a restructure in 2013 prompted a solo mission.
“In September that year I decided it was the right time to do something on my own,” Stevenson said.
“My twins were born in March that year and my family had just moved back out to western Sydney when I decided to quit my job and start my own business – Nepean Financial.
“I went headlong into that for about nine months and then the opportunity with Bell Partners came up. I only got to live out my dream of being my own boss for nine months.”
That change was for the best, fast-tracking Stevenson’s career and giving him more experience, insight, knowledge, and exposure in finance.
“Bell Partners had access to a certain level of clientele and they were dealing with some of Australia’s most well-known celebrities, sports stars and high net worth people, all the way down to your average mum and dad having a go,” Stevenson said.
“It was a good foundation for me to build and grow a team and gain a lot of expertise in terms of dealing with accountants, financial planners, and complex financial situations.
“I hit being a billion-dollar-broker around three or four years ago.”
With Evolve Lending, Stevenson feels like he’s picking up where he left off in June 2014 with Nepean Financial.
“I’m excited, and I think the name ‘Evolve’ was a good choice because it represents the journey and moving on to the next stage of my career,” the broker explained.
“With Evolve Lending, I’m very passionate about having a business that’s efficient and looks after its clients. These days, I’m more focused and interested in working on the business and giving other staff the opportunity to do the face-to-face client meetings.
“I’ve been in the industry for a long time so I know a lot of contacts. I value connecting the guys with people and giving them guidance on how to approach things because I understand the industry really well.”
Uncomplicate your finances with the help of Mark Stevenson and Evolve Lending. Reach out online at https://evolvelending.com.au/.
Ally Hall joined the team 2024, and focuses on entertainment and community stories. She is a graduate of the University of South Australia.