Hosted by Mortgage Solutions and voted for by readers, the awards celebrated the best and the most innovative providers, advisers and support companies in the equity release sector for the sixth year running.
Held at the Grand Connaught Rooms in Holborn, Bridgewater Equity Release snapped up the Best Provider of Home Reversions award, sponsored by xit2 and Just Retirement won the much sought-after Best Provider for Adviser Support award.
Other winners included Key Retirement Solutions for Best Financial Adviser (10+ employees)supported by SHIP, with Mortgage Port taking the award for Best Financial Adviser (fewer than 10 employees).
Celebrating its second award of the afternoon, Key Retirement Solutions also won the Best Overall Adviser award, sponsored by Equilaw with the Best Financial Adviser Newcomer award going to the Consumer Credit Counselling Service (CCCS), supported by Retirement Planner.
And finally, xit2 won the Best Technology Provider award, with law firm Equilaw picking up the award for Best Conveyancer.
Mortgage Solutions editor, Victoria Hartley, said the awards marked real achievement in a sector that has seen challenging times but is set to take on a core role in pension planning as baby boomers head deeper into their retirement years.
“Every company and individual nominated would have been a worthy winner and the house price boom and inadequate pension pots of many mean the importance of all these companies in the equity release sector can only grow in stature in the coming years.
“But to get the message across to consumers, raising the profile of the sector will be key. One industry leader suggested to me at the awards that lenders and advisers could pool resources to advertise equity release on prime-time TV slots. This way, the industry could raise consumer awareness and benefit the industry.”
She added: “This kind of co-operation would drive business for many of the companies at this year’s awards allowing us to the see the results at the 2011 awards ceremony.”
