SHIP is currently reviewing whether organisations such as the Equity Release Solicitors Alliance will be absorbed under its umbrella in 2012.
At the 2011 equity release awards held last night Andrea Rozario, director general of SHIP, said: “Many of you will know that SHIP has undergone an extensive engagement programme with all sectors of the industry and we have listened to what you have said and now the time is right for change.
“We will no longer simply be the voice of equity release providers, working with the rest of the sector we will be the voice of the entire sector, bringing together providers, solicitors, advisers and all key stakeholders as members of a united industry body which fully represents the whole of the industry and puts the needs of the customer first."
Rozario said that SHIP was in the process of finalising the format for the new organisation and it expects to be in a position to reveal the framework in early 2012.
She added: “We call on the industry to continue to actively engage with the process and help to build an organisation which allows the whole sector to come together.
“We look forward to working with all stakeholders in the new year to make this new body a powerful force for the good of our industry.”
