Equity Release Supermarket (ERS) continue to bolster their industry presence with the addition of three new appointments this month.
Andrew O’Connor, John Spink and Sara Whitbread will be joining the company, bringing a wealth of expertise, having each built up between 20 to 30 years’ experience within the wider financial services industry.
Equity Release Supermarket (ERS), one of the leading independent equity release advisory services, is continuing to expand operations and these new appointments take the company’s national network of advisers to 54, with news that more are set to join in the New Year.
Mark Gregory, Founder and CEO of Equity Release Supermarket commented: “We’re delighted to welcome three new faces to our experienced and well-established team. The industry is becoming increasingly aware of our exceptionally high standards of advice and inclusive culture, which continues to attract the most talented of people to the business. Andrew, John and Sara’s respective expertise will help us to further strengthen our position and reach throughout the UK.
“Our strategy isn’t to always look for advisers that have years of equity release experience, as that can sometimes be a challenge to train and mould them into the standard we demand at Equity Release Supermarket. Our new hires bring with them a breadth and depth of financial planning expertise, which fits perfectly with our approach of seeing equity release as just one aspect of later life lending and holistic retirement planning. They also highlight our commitment to investing in recognised talent amidst challenging market conditions and our continued investment within the sector.”
The newcomers are based in Hampshire, East Sussex and South Wales respectively, supporting the company’s growing national presence.
Andrew has over 20 years’ financial services experience having worked at Lloyds Bank and Chase De Vere previously. Whilst John brings a background in both wealth management and financial planning. This experience will help garner further demand within the wealth management sector. John has also held high-profile positions in several organisations, including working as the Royal Bank of Scotland’s Regional Director for Specialist Advice.
Prior to joining Equity Release Supermarket, Sara worked as an adviser offering both mortgage advice and equity release advice in London and Hong Kong. Sara’s appointment is representative of Equity Release Supermarket’s gender diversity and equality, in fact this year alone they have more than doubled their female count.
Mark continued, “At ERS we have always championed a gender diverse team, with the understanding that this not only makes for a better business, but also one that is more adaptable to a wider range of situations, and appeals to a wider range of clients.
“These new appointments are certainly reflective of our mission to have only the best of the best working for us.
“The global pandemic has of course challenged businesses in every sector, our industry included. However, we have an exceptionally talented and pro-active team who deliver unparalleled support and services to our clients, which have enabled the business to progress this year.
“We have also continued to enhance our offering with the addition of new digital practices, tools and guides, which have really resonated with our clients and partners, assisting them through this year’s adjustments. Our clients remain our number one priority and I look forward to watching Andrew, John and Sara excel within the business, helping us to thrive as a team and supporting our customers in every way we can.”
The company, now 54 advisers strong based across the UK, believes in recruiting advisers on the quality of their advice and developing them through their in-house training academy.
Mark commented on the company’s results and future plans: “There’s no doubting that this year has presented many challenges. However, despite these challenges, we have continued to stay true to our ethos and roots, taking a pioneering approach and adapting nimbly to all activity and the industry as a whole.
“This dynamic approach has seen our enquiry levels surge and subsequently the appointment of more talented advisors, setting us in a strong business position in the lead into the new year.”
