Best Later Life Adviser – 5 or fewer advisers
We are looking for you to recognise firms rather than individuals. Your nomination should be based on a combination of the company’s commitment to the best possible outcome for its customers across the whole later life advice spectrum, business performance and the consistent quality of its advice. The company will have demonstrated an exhaustive knowledge of the whole later life lending product range and the concerns and needs of its client base. This holistic Later Life advice can be demonstrated by all advisers or by a referral internally to a Later life expert(s) or a referral externally to a partner(s) which ensures a holistic advice framework is adhered to. The number of advisers should be the number from 1st January 2025.
A commitment to diversity and inclusion for staff and/or customers should be demonstrated.
Best Later Life Adviser – 6 to 19 advisers
Your nomination should be based on a combination of the company’s commitment to the best possible outcome for its customers across the whole later life advice spectrum, business performance and the consistent quality of its advice. The company will have demonstrated an exhaustive knowledge of the whole later life lending product range and the concerns and needs of its client base. This holistic Later Life advice can be demonstrated by all advisers or by a referral internally to a Later life expert(s) or a referral externally to a partner(s) which ensures a holistic advice framework is adhered to. The number of advisers should be the number from 1st January 2025.
A commitment to diversity and inclusion for staff and/or customers should be demonstrated.
Best Later Life Adviser – 20+ advisers
Your nomination should be based on a combination of the company’s commitment to the best possible outcome for its customers across the whole later life advice spectrum, business performance and the consistent quality of its advice. The company will have demonstrated an exhaustive knowledge of the whole later life lending product range and the concerns and needs of its client base. This holistic Later Life advice can be demonstrated by all advisers or by a referral internally to a Later life expert(s) or a referral externally to a partner(s) which ensures a holistic advice framework is adhered to. The number of advisers should be the number from 1st January 2025.
A commitment to diversity and inclusion for staff and/or customers should be demonstrated.
Best Individual Later Life Adviser
This category recognises an exceptional individual adviser for their achievements over the last 12 months. The individual can be a representative from any size of firm, including a sole trader.
Your nomination should be based on a combination of the individual’s commitment to the best possible outcome for their customers across the whole later life advice spectrum, business performance and the consistent quality of their advice. The individual will have demonstrated an exhaustive knowledge of the whole later life lending product range and the concerns and needs of its client base.
Best Distributor for Adviser Support (firm or individual)
This category recognises the distributor firm or individual (To include, but not limited to, adviser firms, networks and clubs, conveyancers, surveyors, as well as other support services firms and consultancies in the distribution chain) that have demonstrated new thinking in advice firm support.
This includes, but is not limited to:
Training courses and events;
Compliance services;
Customer contact strategies;
Adviser business development;
Technology innovation
The successful firm will have made a proven positive impact on its own business in the last 12 months, while delivering services that positively enhance the work of its distribution partners.
Best Business Development Manager (an individual from any firm – either telephony or face-to-face)
This category is open to individuals from all firms – provider, distributor or support services companies. The award will be given to the individual responsible for business development in a face-to-face or telephony capacity. This individual will always go the extra mile for their customers. Someone who is always available, knows their business inside out and offers support and guidance to the distribution channels they serve. They will take ownership of the relationships, ensuring that they consistently achieve positive results for the intermediary and their business.
Best Underwriter
This award category is open to anyone in this discipline at all levels – director, executive or manager. The nominee will have delivered strong initiatives in the last year to improve the quality of business, overall performance and/or controls within the provider which demonstrates that this individual is exceptional. This candidate demonstrates initiatives which have made a clear, visible impact on the business.
Best Network
This category recognises outstanding performance and service by a network that supports advisers operating in the later life lending market. A winning network will demonstrate exceptional commitment to empowering its members through high-quality compliance support, training, technology, range & competitiveness of later life lender and product offering and business development tools tailored to the needs of later life customers. Entrants should clearly show how they have enhanced adviser capability and customer outcomes across equity release, retirement interest-only mortgages, and broader later life financial solutions.
This award celebrates the network that is not only a commercial enabler but also a trusted partner, raising the bar for professionalism and quality within the later life lending space.
Best Surveyor
Nominees will have demonstrated the delivery of a consistently high-quality offering, accurate reports as well as a quick and efficient service. Candidates will evidence digital enhancements to service and a willingness to engage with or lead industry development.
Best Legal Firm
Nominees will provide expert, efficient and practical advice at each step of the process. Successful candidates will have risk and compliance at the heart of their propositions and demonstrate an innovative approach to challenges, while pushing for a consistently faultless service to clients.
Best Newcomer
Nominees should have up to three years’ total experience in the Equity Release/Later Life Lending sector as of September 2026 (not up to 3 years in a new role, having had further experience in the wider intermediated mortgage market – whether that is in the mainstream or specialist markets). The award is aimed at those individuals who have made exceptional progress in their respective businesses in the last 12 months. They will have demonstrated first class results, attitude and ambition and have ample evidence that they have consistently overachieved and have taken on further responsibility within the business.
This award is open to individuals from all firms who specialise in the Later Life/Equity Release sector (Providers, distributors and support services)
Best Lifetime Mortgage Provider (for product, proposition and service)
For this category, please make your assessment in terms of the combination of products, proposition and service levels provided in the last 12 months. We are looking for a firm which ensures the best customer outcome via the intermediary and consistently meets the needs of distribution partners with both the right blend of product(s) and a consistently high level of service. A commitment to diversity and inclusion for staff, distribution partners and/or customers should be demonstrated.
Best RIO or Retirement Mortgage Provider (for product, proposition and service)
For this category, please make your assessment in terms of the combination of products, proposition and service levels provided in the last 12 months. This category covers either Retirement Interest Only Mortgages or standard Capital repayment mortgages for the over 50s. (including Term Interest only mortgages). We are looking for a firm which ensures the best customer outcome via the intermediary and consistently meets the needs of distribution partners with both the right blend of product(s) and a consistently high level of service. A commitment to diversity and inclusion for staff, distribution partners and/or customers should be demonstrated.
Best Provider for Adviser Support, Training and Development
The category deliberates over the highest examples of adviser support from a product provider. This includes, but is not limited to, training and development, compliance services, customer contact strategies and adviser business development. This also includes technology innovation that drives broker efficiency and the delivery of a first-class customer experience. The successful firm will have made a proven positive impact on its own business in the last 12 months, while delivering services that positively enhance the business of their distribution partners. A commitment to diversity and inclusion for staff, distribution partners and/or customers should be demonstrated.
