Donna Francis, former chief operating officer at the Equity Release Council, has joined Equity Release Group (ERG) as a non-executive director.
Donna has over 30 years’ experience across financial services and has spearheaded industry-wide strategic projects, including the merger of the Life Insurance Association (LIA) and Society of Financial Advisers (SoFA) to create the Personal Finance Society, followed by the launch of the Society of Mortgage Professionals.
Donna subsequently spent a decade in the role of COO at Equity Release Council, responsible for the development of operations, regulatory policy, industry standards setting, membership propositions, corporate governance, and financial controls.
Donna’s dedication to advocacy and support for the adviser community was a key focus of her tenure at the ERC, which saw the first sector-wide competency framework and published guidance on equity release for advisers being launched. She was referred to as a "guiding light and central in the major decisions of the Council’s development as a trusted and influential trade body and standards setter" by David Burrowes, chair of the Equity Release Council.
In her new role at Equity Release Group, Donna will focus on broadening the scope of accessibility in using property wealth as a catalyst for financial planning requirements, whilst helping to lift standards across the industry - part of the Group’s wider long-term strategy.
The appointment comes after the firm recently appointed a trio of independent equity release advisers to its equity release advisory service firm, Equity Release Supermarket, further expanding their operations throughout the UK.
The firm also announced a new partnership last month with StepChange to become their exclusive equity release and later life lending advice partner.
Mark Gregory, founder and CEO of Equity Release Group commented: “Following a surge of confidence within the sector, alongside heightened business activity over the last six months, we knew we really wanted to focus on taking the next step in our growth journey as market leaders.
“Our vision has always been about servicing the market with innovative technology and an advanced digital offering, whilst delivering the best possible quality advice. We’re therefore truly honoured to have Donna on board to help us leverage and maximise our growing capabilities across the Group, which includes 20 years’ worth of investment in technology.
“She brings with her a wealth of invaluable experience in our sector. She is driven by integrity, dedicated to nurturing a positive culture that empowers teams to thrive. I am confident that together we can drive scalability and security across the market, to deliver an enhanced customer experience, alongside exceptional quality advice.”
Donna Francis said: “I’ve worked with Equity Release Group in my previous capacity as COO for the Council and have avidly followed their development path for many years, which has transformed the offering for consumers and businesses across the industry. Their expertise, and robust technology has provided a superior customer accessibility experience, far greater control in terms of oversight, whole of market product choice and independence.
“During a time of challenging market conditions, their B2B arm, Equity Release Partners - the whole of market and independent referral service for intermediaries - has also aided a significant part of the firm’s growth. This, alongside the firm’s smartER equity release comparison site, is helping to drive accessibility across the market, to support customers with their financial goals and outcomes.
“Equity Release Group is entering an exciting stage of their journey, and I am delighted that I can be a part of helping to shape their future, as well as the future success of the industry.”
