Business Details
22 Years
experience
Expert Mortgage Brokers for Rural & Agricultural Businesses
Established in 2004, Rural & Business Specialists (R&BS) was founded to address the unique mortgage challenges faced by farm, rural, and equestrian businesses. Our directors identified a gap in the market while working in agricultural banking, where rigid criteria often hindered clients from securing suitable funding. With a team comprising former bankers, chartered surveyors, and rural industry professionals, we specialise in presenting lending proposals that align precisely with lender requirements. Our independence from single lenders allows us to prioritise client needs, leveraging relationships with over 30 specialist banks to secure mortgages unavailable on the high street.We handle complex scenarios, from multi-million-pound restructuring to smaller repayment mortgages, with equal dedication. Our expertise extends to agricultural-tie properties, equestrian enterprises, and rural diversification projects, supported by a track record of successful case studies. We combine deep sector knowledge with financial acumen to deliver tailored solutions, ensuring clients achieve their business goals efficiently and sustainably.
Services
Agricultural Mortgages
Equestrian Mortgages
Rural Business Mortgages
Smallholding Mortgages
Land Purchase Mortgages
Farm Diversification Finance
Permitted Development Loans
Holiday Accommodation Mortgages
Anaerobic Digestion Funding
Vineyard & Horticulture Loans
Details
- Year established: 2004
Highlights and features
- We have over 20 years of experience in rural and agricultural finance.
- Our team includes former agricultural bankers and chartered surveyors.
- We maintain relationships with 30+ specialist lenders nationwide.
- Our independence ensures unbiased, client-first mortgage recommendations.
- We specialise in complex rural financing scenarios others cannot resolve.
Associations and certifications
- FCA
What people say
Delighted with support
Successful funding solutions
Understand rural needs
Expert mortgage advice
Persistent case resolution
Services
Agricultural Mortgages
Specialist financing for agricultural businesses covering land purchases, farm expansions, and equipment investments. We work with lenders who understand the unique challenges of farming, offering competitive rates and flexible terms tailored to seasonal cash flows. Our expertise includes navigating complex structures like trusts and partnerships.
Equestrian Mortgages
Tailored funding solutions for riding schools, livery yards, and competition facilities. We address the specific needs of equestrian enterprises, including property conversions and facility upgrades. Our lenders appreciate the dual residential-commercial nature of these properties, providing appropriate financing structures.
Rural Business Mortgages
Finance for rural diversification projects including vineyards, holiday lets, and renewable energy initiatives. We support businesses transitioning from traditional farming to tourism or leisure sectors, offering mortgages that accommodate mixed-use properties and unconventional income streams.
Smallholding Mortgages
Mortgages for small-scale agricultural enterprises and lifestyle properties with commercial elements. We assist clients purchasing land for niche farming, hobby farms, or combined residential-business ventures, ensuring lenders understand the viability of smaller operations.
Permitted Development Finance
Funding for repurposing agricultural buildings into residential or commercial spaces. We connect clients with lenders familiar with permitted development rights, offering finance that covers both structural modifications and business integration of converted spaces.
People
Rob Lister
Director
Agricultural surveyor with 20+ years in rural finance, previously at NatWest Agriculture and Farming & Agricultural Finance. Combines farming heritage with technical expertise to structure complex mortgage solutions.
Jim Richards
Director
Agriculture graduate and former RBS banker with specialist rural lending knowledge. Focuses on strategic client support and lender negotiations, leveraging 20+ years in agricultural finance sectors.
Charlotte Douglas
Equine Consultant
Award-winning equine scientist with practical experience in equestrian business management. Provides specialist mortgage advice for livery yards, competition facilities, and horse-related enterprises.
Graham Sanders
Senior Consultant
44-year banking veteran specialising in agricultural lending. Former Lloyds Bank regional manager with expertise in structuring mortgage packages for high-net-worth farming clients.
Stewart Hamilton
Land Consultant
Rural surveyor and RICS valuer with experience at leading land agencies. Combines farm management knowledge with mortgage expertise to advise on property-linked financing solutions.
Questions
What types of mortgages do you offer?
We specialise in agricultural, equestrian, rural business, and smallholding mortgages, including complex financing for land purchases and business expansions.
Can you help with difficult mortgage cases?
Yes, we excel at resolving complex cases others decline, including multi-million-pound restructuring and unconventional rural business financing.
Do you work with first-time rural buyers?
We assist all clients, including first-time buyers of smallholdings or agricultural properties requiring specialist mortgage arrangements.
How do you charge for services?
We receive commissions from lenders, with no additional fees to clients. Full transparency about costs is provided upfront.
Can you help with permitted development financing?
Yes, we have lenders specialising in funding for agricultural building conversions and mixed-use rural property developments.
What areas do you cover?
We operate nationwide across England, Wales, and Scotland, with consultants in key rural regions.
