Later Life Academy launches campaign to boost adviser numbers

"Our belief is that later life advice needs to cover off as many areas as possible and the whole aim of the Academy is to offer those opportunities to our members."

The campaign includes a variety of cost-savings and further benefits for members, including a reduction in membership costs down to £25 per month plus, in an exclusive tie-up, those advisers who are also members of the Equity Release Council will pay just £20 per month.

Existing members of the LLA will also receive an extension to the first year of their Council membership. The new tie-up with The Council also includes a series of new training events launched in association with the industry trade body.

The Academy has already increased its membership by 16% this year and is seeking to develop its membership offering in order to bring more IFAs and other types of advisers into the later life space.

Stuart Wilson, Managing Partner at the Later Life Academy, said: “We are incredibly pleased with our ongoing growth – we have already increased membership by 16% this year – and to celebrate the continued success of the Academy we have launched this new campaign, ‘Strength in numbers’.

“Given UK demographics, in particular an ageing population much more likely to work past traditional state retirement ages, we see the later life market as an incredibly important one for advisers both now and in the future. Currently, many advisers work in ‘silos’ offering advice, for example, just on pensions or just on equity release; our belief is that later life advice needs to cover off as many areas as possible and the whole aim of the Academy is to offer those opportunities to our members."

Nigel Waterson, Chairman of the Equity Release Council, added: “Our continued partnership with the LLA will ensure that more financial advisers will receive accredited training – fundamental to supporting advisers in a rapidly growing market and changing retirement landscape. Equity release can play a vital role in helping older people financially plan for retirement and this initiative provides a platform to support best practice among the adviser community.

“The Council’s collaboration with the LLA is testament to our continued support for the equity release sector as it enters a renewed phase of growth – with lending figures and customer numbers at a record high. Driven by our unwavering commitment to ensuring the highest standards of financial advice, it is imperative that advisers are equipped with the necessary tools and breadth of knowledge – which the LLA training fosters – in order to provide the best possible service to this growing base of customers.

“As we face notable challenges, including an ageing population and rising social care needs, we also commend the LLA on its innovative approach towards upskilling advisers with an interest in the ‘at retirement’ market.”