Bernhard Andreas Brekke (1854-1932) came from a shipping family in Ålesund and founded the company Bernhd. Brekke in 1880. He learned his trade by working for Rønneberg & Sons in Ålesend and the shipbroker Clarckson & Co, London. Bernhd. Brekke began by exporting butter to England, and gradually acquired considerable import agencies within the grocery business; iron, coal and coke.

Bernhard A. Brekke also ran a cod meal factory at Børsa, which won several prizes for outstanding quality. He was a major shareholder in Trondhjems Insurance Company AS., where his son was the CEO.

He was also an active tradesman, with honorary posts and board memberships in shipping, banking, industry and finance. For many years he was a public trustee in the municipality.

His business principle was to have 1/3 of his money in cash, 1/3 in mortgage bonds and 1/3 in shares in companies that he would do business with. Having debts was out of the question.

Bernhard A. Brekke was one of the founders of the Association of Trondhjem (Trade) Agents in 1902. In 1929 he established a poor relief fund, with annual increasing contributions.