Mark Burton

From sole trader to scalable business owner

When Mark Burton reflects on what first drew him to The Openwork Partnership, it wasn’t just the proposition or platforms, it was the people.  

“The welcoming nature really struck me. It felt like a genuine partnership. In my previous network, I felt like just a number. At Openwork I felt, and still feel, heard.” 

Enabling the vision 

Before joining Openwork, Mark was a sole trader offering mortgage and protection advice. Like many advisers working alone, he wore all the hats: adviser, administrator, marketer. But he always had a vision for something more substantial. Since joining the network, that vision has begun to take shape. 

“Now I’ve set up a limited company, opened a new office, brought in another broker and admin support. It’s changed massively; it feels like a proper business now.” 

Seamless scaling 

Scaling a business often begins with the right hires, and for Mark, Openwork’s recruitment support made that process straightforward. 

 “I thought bringing in a new broker would be a tough process, but with Openwork’s help it was seamless. The recruitment process was really impressive.” 

Partnering for growth 

The move from working solo to managing a team has been transformative, not only in terms of workload but in how Mark sees his own role and potential. 

“I feel like I have a business that can scale, and the support is there to help me do that, I don’t feel like I had that before.” 

Mark’s personal development journey has taken off, too. A participant in Openwork’s Partnering for Growth programme, he’s gained access to wider strategic support, including tools that benefit his team. 

 “The Business School has helped loads. Being part of Partnering for Growth has exposed me to other resources that have helped us grow. For example, the personality profiling tools have helped me understand and support my team better.” 

He’s also seen a real impact on his team, fostering a development-led culture with the help of the Business School. 

 “I’d say the team feels more engaged. They know what’s available to them, and we’ve made sure they’re aware of the training and development opportunities. That sense of investment in their development matters.” 

Tools to success 

On the operational side, Mark highlights the value of having easy access to Openwork’s support structure, from systems to senior stakeholders. 

“It’s great knowing we can speak to decision-makers directly. Our voices are heard.” 

The PDM (Partnership Development Manager) relationship has also been key.  

“The PDM support is fantastic, and I really value those meetings. Even when things aren’t going to plan, the support system is there to help.” 

Adopting the best practices from across the network has also helped the business enhance its service delivery. 

“Using the in-house CRM has probably been the biggest operational shift for us. It’s helped us work more efficiently and better support our clients.” 

The road ahead 

For Mark, the road ahead is all about scale and growth.  

“We’re aiming to bring in another broker soon, and I’m getting recruitment support for that from Openwork again. I also want to use the wealth and will referral systems more effectively – there’s so much opportunity there.” 

But Mark’s ambitions go beyond business outcomes.  

“What I’d love to do is coach more brokers. If I can bring a few into the business, I can step back from advising full-time and focus on overseeing the business and mentoring the team.” 

When it comes to recommending the network, Mark doesn’t hesitate. 

“The support, the culture, the tools—it’s all there.”