The ninth annual ceremony was held at Merchant Taylors’ Hall in the heart of the City of London and included speeches from Mortgage Solutions editor Vicky Hartley and Equity Release Council chair Nigel Waterson.
The outstanding contribution award went to former SHIP director-general Andrea Rozario, who was a key force behind the creation of the Equity Release Council, while both Age Partnership and Key Retirement Solutions picked up awards in the adviser categories.
“Not so long ago we had barely a dozen members,” said Waterson at the start of the evening.
“It was absolutely the right decision to open up membership to all those involved in the equity release customer’s journey – advisers, solicitors, surveyors as well as providers.
“We are about to welcome our 300th member. That is a huge achievement, and it adds real strength to our lobbying efforts – with government, regulators, the media and in Europe – that we can speak for at least 90% of the sector in the UK.”
Full list of winners
Best Sole Trader for 2013
Acclaimed Mortgage Consultancy
Best Financial Adviser with fewer than 10 employees
Step Change
Best Financial Adviser with more than 10 employees
Age Partnership
Best Overall Adviser
Key Retirement Solutions
Best Technology Provider
FreeBen
Best Conveyancer
Ashfords
Best Surveyor
Countrywide Surveying Services
Best Provider Lifetime Mortgages
Hodge Lifetime
Best Provider Home Reversions
Bridgewater Equity Release
Best Provider for Adviser Support
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Outstanding Contribution
Andrea Rozario