Stonebridge and Viva Retirement Solutions extend partnership with new long-term deal
31 January 2024
Stonebridge, the national mortgage and insurance network, and Viva Retirement Solutions, the later life advisory firm, have today announced a renewed partnership with a new long-term deal.
The new agreement sees Viva remain part of the Stonebridge network as an appointed representative (AR) firm and extends a partnership that began over 10 years ago.
Viva are advisory experts in the later life lending market offering advice nationwide to over-55s covering a range of product options including equity release, lifetime mortgages, and RIO mortgages.
It is a proven centre of advisory excellence winning many awards in recent years, including the Best Financial Adviser at the Equity Release Awards 2024 - an award it has won nine times, Best Large Advisory Firm at the 2023 Later Life Lending Awards, Equity Release Adviser of the Year at the Moneyfacts 2023 Awards.
Viva is a member of the Equity Release Council and is also the later life referral partner for Stonebridge AR member firms who don’t hold equity release advice permissions.
Stonebridge continues to steadily grow the number of AR firms within the network and emphasised its ongoing commitment to supporting member firms with the resources needed to help them realise their firm’s ambitions.
The Network Consulting league table of networks revealed Stonebridge achieved the largest net growth of AR firms, in real terms, during 2023. With the number of advisers in the network standing at over 1,100.
Paul Saroya, Director at Viva Retirement Solutions, said:
“Viva has worked very closely with Stonebridge since we joined the network over ten years ago, and it has been hugely satisfying to see both businesses grow together over that period.
“Our decision to extend our long-term partnership with Stonebridge was an easy one to make. The Stonebridge team are always willing to listen to feedback and ideas and are proactive with advice and support.
“The aim is to continue growing our business with Stonebridge, and we truly believe we are with the best network partner to do this, taking on the right people at the right time, and ensuring we grow in a sustainable manner.
“We’re hugely positive about the next period in the life of Viva within the Stonebridge network.”
Rob Clifford, Chief Executive of Stonebridge, commented:
“We are obviously very pleased to announce the continuation of our relationship with Viva Retirement Solutions, and we believe this continues to demonstrate the strength of our proposition and our ability to work in partnership with our AR member firms to help them thrive.
“The expertise, experience, and the service provided by Viva and its advisers in the later life lending space is clear for all to see. The fact they are our preferred provider for the network is a testament to their capabilities.
“We’re very much looking forward to continuing this relationship with Paul, Mark, and their team, and we’ll continue to work closely with them to ensure they have everything they need to continue their fantastic growth.”
To find out more about Stonebridge or if you are interested in joining their AR proposition visit: www.stonebridgegroup.co.uk/join-our-network
For further information on Viva Retirement Solutions, please visit: www.vivaretirementsolutions.co.uk
