Pensioners' lives improved with equity release, says SHIP

Equity release products make a real difference to the lives of pensions, according to the general of industry trade body Safe Home Income Plans, reports Financial Adviser (15/11/07).


Andrea Rozario said: "I made the move to specialising in equity release because I saw the potential in what is a very exciting market. I felt this was something I could really get satisfaction from."

Ms Rozario said equity release was one of the only products that could immediately improve the quality of many pensioners' lives.

She said: "The feedback and thanks I have received from customers has more than made my decision worthwhile. I think anyone who likes dealing with people who are genuinely grateful for advice and help would enjoy the rewards offered by specialising in equity release."

Dean Mirfin, business development director at Lifetime Advisory Services, said: "It is important to seek specialist advice. A direct provider will not take into account all options and won't say a better rate is obtainable from an intermediary."

Mark Roberts, head of financial regulation at ifs School of Finance, said he was delighted that advisers were seeing the benefits of specialising in equity release but he would like to encourage more women to make the move following the revelation that less than a quarter of advisers taking the certificate in regulated equity release are women.

SHIP appoints its first director general

Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), has appointed Andrea Rozario as its first director general in a full-time capacity, reports Mortgage Solutions (30/10/07).

The appointment represents the beginning of planned expansion of SHIP activity, following the results of a strategic review of the trade body earlier in the year. As Director General of SHIP, Andrea will focus on developing strategy and communications activity with the range of SHIP’s stakeholders in the equity release industry, including IFAs, product providers, consumers, the media, regulators, consumer organisations and government.

Rozario will begin the role of director general on 3 December and will be based in a central London office.

Laurie Edmans, non executive chairman, SHIP, said the appointment represented an advance for SHIP and highlighted its desire to increase its role and the profile of equity release.

Andrea Rozario added: “There are many possibilities that lie ahead and the role of director general shows a serious commitment from SHIP and the industry’s desire to aid future growth.”

Sixty Plus comment: This can only be good news for the equity release sector. Andrea has a good reputation as an equity release specialist and we hope she will be able to raise the profile and reputation of equity release with the media.