The Specialist Finance Academy (SFA) is officially reopening its doors today.
The relaunch brings updated resources and more support for brokers looking to build confidence and grow their specialist lending knowledge.
To mark this next chapter, the Academy has confirmed a new partnership with Brilliant Solutions, becoming the first mortgage club to officially collaborate with the SFA.
Founded by specialist broker and business owner Kim McGinley, the Academy was created to give brokers the tools, knowledge and support they need to confidently step into the specialist finance space. Backed by years of hands on experience building VIBE Finance, Kim’s focus now sits firmly on brand growth and partnerships.
The Academy’s education delivery is led by director of education George Sanford, who is responsible for content development and ensuring the learning remains practical and focused on today’s lending challenges.
The SFA offers a structured membership with two tiers – Core and Pro – giving brokers the flexibility to choose the level of support they need. Members gain access to a growing bank of tools, templates, resources and lender insights, all designed to help them place deals with confidence.
Michael Craig, managing director of Brilliant Solutions, said: “We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with the Specialist Finance Academy (SFA) and especially proud to be the first Mortgage Club to do so.
"At Brilliant Solutions, we’ve always believed that broker education is the foundation of better outcomes for clients, especially in the specialist lending sector, and it’s clear that SFA shares those same values.
"A huge credit goes to Kim for the brilliant work she’s done in building this academy. It’s a fantastic platform that’s already making a real difference. This partnership is a natural fit, and we’re proud to support brokers together in raising standards across the industry.”
Kim McGinley (pictured) added: “The Academy exists to cut through the noise.
“We know the pain points. Brokers feel overwhelmed, undertrained, and unsure how to place complex deals. We are here to change that. The partnership with Brilliant Solutions is a proud moment because their values mirror ours. They care about brokers, they care about outcomes, and they get it. Together, we are creating something that really moves the dial.”
