As part of the ongoing restructure of the organisation, SHIP, the trade body for equity release, has appointed Nigel Waterson as Chairman.  

Mr. Waterson – who will formally take up his position on the 01 April 2012 – brings a wealth of experience to the role from a career which included 18-years as a Conservative MP of which seven were spent as Shadow Pensions Minister.   He takes up the role following the retirement of Laurie Edmans who served as Chairman for almost 6 years.

SHIP underwent an extensive engagement process last year and Nigel’s new role will initially focus on helping the organisation to smoothly evolve from a provider focused body to one which represents the entire equity release industry.    As part of his new role, he will also work closely with the existing Director General – Andrea Rozario – and other members of SHIP’s board to ensure that the new body continues to put consumer safeguards at the heart of industry developments.  

Nigel has particular insight into the issues facing older consumers through his other roles which includes being former Chairman of the All Party Group for Older People and currently Member of the Society of Pension Consultants Council and Trustee at the International Longevity Centre.

Nigel Waterson, Chairman of SHIP, comments: “This is a historic moment of opportunity for equity release – to boost incomes in retirement, fund long term care costs, and generally support a comfortable older age for many of our citizens.  I am delighted to be involved in launching the new and reinvigorated organisation, and helping the industry meet these vital challenges.”

Andrea Rozario, Director General of SHIP, comments: “SHIP is currently undergoing one of the largest step changes of its 20-year history and we are therefore extremely pleased to appoint a new Chairman with the depth and breadth of knowledge that Nigel offers.    I look forward to working closely with him over the coming months as we work to launch the new body and actively promote the role equity release can play in retirement planning.”