Nine of the top Equity Release providers were in attendance, along with ERSA and Assureweb. In addition there were over 50 advisers, all keen to find out more about the Alliance. A packed audience meant standing room only for some.
The event lasted the whole morning, with presentations from Tom Maloney of the Consumer Credit Counselling Service, Andrea Rozario of SHIP, Robert Sinclair, AIFA & AMI Director, and Peter Barton, Ashfords Solicitors. After a break, Anthony Harris, Chairman of IERAA, then explained what the Alliance is all about and the reasons for setting it up.
Initial feedback was excellent and the signs are that many of the advisers will now apply to join. The overwhelming feeling was that the launch of an alliance such as this was long overdue. In fact it was Robert Sinclair who succinctly said that launching this Alliance was ‘a sign of an industry growing up’.
The Alliance aims to promote the use of highly qualified and experienced advisers. These advisers will be totally independent of lenders and be able to demonstrate significant experience.
The focus for the Alliance over the next few months is to arrange further meetings to be held around the country to promote the Alliance to other advisers.
Anthony Harris, Chairman of IERAA said: "Today is just the start. The Alliance is all about providing access to the best individual advisers that the industry can offer – access for the general public and access for our fellow professionals. Together we will be stronger and can maintain the highest of standards through the common aim of offering independent specialist advice."
Dermot Brannigan, Press Officer for IERAA said: "Today was a more of a success that even we imagined it would be. Everyone seemed so keen to build on this. I was particularly impressed with how positive the providers were, and the fact that more advisers turned up than we were expecting is a great indication of the desire to make this happen. The key is what we do from here, though and the success of the Alliance will be down to the members within it."
