• Council introduces inaugural leadership format for flagship annual summit
• Emad Aladhal, the FCA’s director of retail banking to deliver keynote address
• Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP to speak at leadership lunch

The Equity Release Council will launch a new leadership format for its flagship annual Later Life Lending Summit this June, bringing together senior figures from across financial services, pensions, banking, regulation and government to examine the future of retirement finance in the UK.

The inaugural Later Life Lending Summit: Leaders’ Symposium will take place at Church House Westminster on 16 June and will combine a senior leadership forum with a formal, discussion-led lunch.

Emad Aladhal, Director of Retail Banking at the Financial Conduct Authority, will deliver the regulatory keynote address at the Symposium, outlining the FCA’s view on the market at a pivotal moment for the sector, as the regulator undertakes its Later Life Mortgages Market Study.

The Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP, Deputy Speaker of the House of Commons and former Minister and Chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, will deliver a keynote speech during the formal leadership lunch.

The Symposium is being convened as the industry responds to growing regulatory focus and a shifting retirement landscape.

Bringing together policymakers, regulators, and industry leaders, the event will examine how property wealth can be more effectively integrated into mainstream retirement planning while maintaining strong consumer protections, professional standards and public trust.

A central theme throughout the programme will be the growing need for a more holistic approach to late life finances, recognising the increasingly interconnected role of pensions, housing wealth and long-term financial resilience in shaping retirement outcomes.

The programme will also include sessions focused on funding and innovation, women and retirement, international perspectives and responsible growth, trust and consumer outcomes.

Delegates are expected to attend from across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia, reflecting growing international interest in the UK market, which is widely recognised as a global leader in standards-led later life lending and consumer protections.

The headline sponsors are Finova and Legal & General.

Mike Batty, Product and Propositions Director, Retail Retirement, L&G said: “Financial planning for retirement and later life needs to be considered more holistically.  For homeowners, this can mean thinking about the value tied up in their property, alongside pension pots and other savings and investments, for a more complete picture of their retirement income options.

“We’re delighted to sponsor the new symposium as it offers the chance for the industry to forge a more joined-up approach to later life finances.”

Gareth Richardson, CEO at Finova, said: “As the later life lending market continues to evolve, underpinned by longer life expectancy and extended working lives, collaboration across the industry will be critical to ensuring customers can access more suitable and flexible financial solutions in retirement.  As a sponsor of the symposium and the technology provider supporting around 70 per cent of the UK later life lending market, Finova is delighted to support this important initiative and the conversations shaping the future of the sector.”

The Council has said it will unveil its new Retirement Compass at the Symposium – a new tracker examining retirement finance adequacy, undertaken in partnership with Fairer Finance.

More details can be found at http://www.laterlifelendingsummit.com/.

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About the Council: The Council (www.equityreleasecouncil.com) is the representative trade body for the UK equity release market.  Plans that meet the Council’s standards come with six product safeguards: no negative equity guarantee; fixed or capped rates for life; the right to port; the right to make overpayments; secure tenure for life and the waiver of early repayment charges for if a borrower moves permanently into long term care.  These safeguards are underpinned by mandatory independent legal advice which ensures the customer understands the risks and implications of the plan.  In December 2025, the Council’s remit was broadened to all forms of later life lending falling within the regulated mortgage environment.

About the Later Life Lending Summit programme: The programme brings together advisers, lenders, policymakers, regulators, consumer bodies, and industry leaders across multiple events each year.  These summits explore the role of later life lending and property wealth within the wider financial services landscape – providing a trusted space to share insight, challenge thinking and improve outcomes for customers in later life.

More information: [email protected]