The Council is appealing for members to come forward and a join a focus group aimed at helping to improve and shape the service the representative trade body delivers.
The decision comes after a record number of members responded to the 2021 members survey which found:
- 93% strongly agree/agree the Council’s protections and safeguards enable consumers to trust that equity release is safe and reliable
- 95% strongly agree/agree the Council’s temporary modification for remote legal advice was vital for keeping the equity release market open during COVID 19
- 92% strongly agree/agree the Council is recognised for promoting product/advice safeguards and standards to the industry
- 80% strongly agree/agree the Council is recognised for promoting product/advice safeguard and standards to consumers
- 81% strongly agree/agree the Council keeps them up-to-date with developments in the market
- 70% believe Council membership is ‘essential and brings credibility’.
Lorraine Cox (left) , the Council’s business development and member relations manager said: “We had a fantastic response to the survey with 203 of our 1500 members completing it.
“We are forming a focus group so we can really drill down into what members want and add qualitative research to that quantitative data.
“We would particularly like to hear from members that perhaps do not always engage with the Council so if you have a friend or colleague who might not be making the most of their membership, please encourage them to get in touch.”
Respondents were put into a draw for a £250 Fortnum & Mason hamper, which was won by adviser Samantha Harris from the Equity Release Information Centre. 
Samantha (right) said: “It was a lovely surprise to win, especially during a pandemic when we can all do with a bit of cheering up, but I didn’t need any encouragement to take part in the survey.
“The reputation of our industry is getting better and better every day but we can’t risk going back to the bad old days which is one of the reasons membership is essential.
“My membership of the Council gives clients confidence in me as a professional and quite a few raise it before I do, so I’m certain membership is beneficial for business as well as consumers.”
- To be considered for the focus group members should email [email protected]
