Equity Release Group add to Management Team and appoint two new Advisers amidst renewed business growth
07 August 2024
The UK’s leading whole of market equity release experts, Equity Release Group (ERG), today announced a trio of new hires that will join the Group’s equity release advisory business - Equity Release Supermarket (ERS) - as they expand their UK operations to fulfil the growing appetite within the industry and beyond.
The surge in recruitment closely follows the news of ERG’s new partnership with Responsible Lending, the exclusive providers of the Royal London Equity Release product range, as well as their strategic partnership with price comparison service - MoneySuperMarket (MSM).
The latest appointments to the UK’s No.1 independent equity release advisory service firm - Louise Thompkins, Brian Massie and Paul Massie - bring a wealth of knowledge and expertise from within the financial services sector.
Mark Gregory, Founder and CEO of Equity Release Group commented: “With a broader product mix now available, alongside a renewed confidence within the market following a year of turbulence, we’re witnessing above industry average growth within the Group.
“In part this is due to certain environmental factors but also due to our strategic partnerships and digital capabilities. By enabling customers to monitor rates and LTVs through the use of smartER™ - the UK’s only equity release comparison tool – consumers now have access to a comparative suite with greater choice, independence and transparency.
“To support this continued drive, we are thrilled to welcome Louise, Brian and Paul to our expansive and well-established team. Their respective expertise will help us to further strengthen our position and reach throughout the UK. It is always our aim to provide the best possible quality service to our customers, which is why we invest so heavily in our people, expertise and technology.”
With over 27 years’ experience within the financial services arena, Louise has an extensive knowledge of the mortgage and later life lending market. She began as a Financial Adviser before progressing into leadership roles and will now head up the advice team at ERS, overseeing wellbeing, quality, and general operations.
Louise Thompkins commented: “It’s genuinely a privilege to join Equity Release Group. They have a very strong work ethic and incredible reputation, as well as being at the forefront of several industry changes. So, I’m delighted to be part of the team.
“I join ERS as Advice Team Manager from Legal and General where I was a founding member of the leadership team, tasked with the launch of their inhouse advice service and subsequently their whole of market proposition. My passion is about improving advice standards within the sector and driving the right customer outcome through the provision of good quality advice, and an excellent customer experience.
“I am really looking forward to being part of the team at ERS. They have the perfect platform in place to enable me to drive a continued and heightened customer experience.”
Other new faces alongside Louise are brothers Brian and Paul Massie, who will be advising customers that come into the business from Equity Release Supermarket and MoneySuperMarket. Both have worked in the financial services industry for several years.
The brothers share the mentality that seeing their clients benefit from whole of market advice is particularly rewarding, hence they were very keen to join the Equity Release Supermarket team. Prior to joining ERS, Brian and Paul were both part of the equity release team at Fluent.
Louise will be based at the firm’s HQ in Warrington, whilst Brian and Paul being telephone advisers, will provide whole of market advice to clients on a nationwide basis in support of the company’s growing national expansion plans.
Mark added, “We have an exceptionally talented and pro-active team who deliver unparalleled support and services to our clients, which have enabled the business to continue to excel.
“This is the first of many hires we expect to make throughout the year following year on year growth. Due to smartER™ consistently growing in popularity, new product launches, platform developments, new partnerships and affiliations, it is a particularly exciting time for people to join the firm and be part of this sector digital transformation.”
