From football memorabilia to half marathon training, Mike Doxford brings focus, energy and a good dose of personality to his work and his downtime. As one of our Lending Managers, Mike’s known for turning tricky lending cases into success stories and building strong relationships with brokers along the way. We caught up with him to hear what drives his work, what makes a deal memorable and why he never settles for the high street “no.”
What brought you into lending and what drew you to Recognise Bank?
It all started with a university placement year at Manchester Building Society. I’ve been in the sector ever since. From the beginning, I could see the potential Recognise had as a relationship-based bank. I really appreciated the alternative products and services we were bringing to the market, there was nothing cookie-cutter about it.
What do you love most about working with brokers and SMEs?
The diverse personalities. No two brokers are the same, and as a group, they bring a lot of dynamism to the table. That energy is contagious.
Tell us something unique or unexpected about your background?
From a young age I was drawn to the armed forces, I actively explored it into my twenties. In the end, I decided banking was a more sensible fit for me personally, but I still carry that mindset of discipline and drive into everything I do.
What makes a deal stand out to you?
When we can turn a high street ‘no’ into a ‘yes’ through Recognise. It’s all about discovering the client’s character, ability and means and finding a way to support their borrowing goal. That kind of problem solving is where we thrive.
One piece of advice for businesses considering bridging lending?
Bridging finance often seems over-complicated but that’s usually down to restrictive criteria from high street lenders. At Recognise Bank, we keep it simple by understanding your borrowing need and aligning it with our risk appetite.
What’s the most rewarding part of completing a deal?
Delivering on a promise, that’s what gives me the drive. Providing a great service and knowing the client got what they needed? That’s the win.
What sets Recognise apart from other lenders?
It’s how close we are to decision-makers. There’s very little separating people like me on the front line from senior management. It’s this streamlined communication that lets us move quickly and support brokers in a way that helps them shine in front of their clients.
What have you learned from working with brokers?
Transparency and communication are everything. Keeping brokers in the loop, especially around decision making and case updates is absolutely vital.
How do you like to spend time outside of work?
I’m training for a half marathon right now, for the Manchester Children’s Hospital, for my son’s best friend. it’s the furthest I’ve ever run, so it’s taking proper commitment! It’s a big challenge but I’m enjoying every step.
Complete this: “People might not guess this about me, but…
my most prized possession is “my collection of Blackburn Rovers signed football shirts. It’s grown over the years much to my family’s disapproval!”
Mike’s all about clarity, collaboration and bringing ambition to life, whether that’s helping a business grow or smashing his personal best in training. Keep an eye out, he might be your next go-to for bridging lending.
Learn more about our flexible Bridging Loan solutions and how we can support your needs.
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