Cathedral IFP are the first to take advantage of the "free franchise" offer from blue horizons. Under this arrangement they have co-branded their shop front with blue horizons to promote overseas property services to existing clients as well as new ones. Karen love, principal of cathedral IFP, explains why she decided to take up the offer. "I have personally bought a property overseas, and when I did so I found there was a distinct lack of good quality, professional advice available to help me with my purchase. Now, at a time when more and more of our clients are considering purchasing properties abroad, we are delighted to be partnering with blue horizons to make sure our clients are given every support possible. Overseas property services is a major new initiative for cathedral and we are very excited about this new partnership".
Blue horizons are already in advanced stages of preparation for the opening of a second shop in Wisbech, Cambridgeshire, and have a number of others already planned. They intend to have at least 20 shops open throughout the UK by the end of 2005.
Blue horizons managing director, Colin Barrett-Treen, is confident that these new shops will prove to be highly successful. "Interest in buying property abroad has never been greater than it is today. A survey undertaken recently by alliance & Leicester bank showed that over one third of adults in the UK are considering buying an overseas property. Our "free franchise" offer therefore presents financial advisory firms with an ideal opportunity to extend their services in a way that has perfect synergy with their existing range".
This initiative comes at a time when many IFA's and mortgage brokers are looking for ways to enhance their business in order to improve profitability, now that increased regulatory burdens have been placed on many of them. It is an ideal opportunity for suitable firms to get involved in this market in a cost effective way.
Barrett-Treen continued, “as former IFA's ourselves we appreciate that clients expect very high standards of professionalism from their financial advisers. Our commitment is to maintain those high standards in our dealings with the clients”.
