John Harris, later life & protection adviser at Cooper Associates Mortgages, speaks to The Intermediary following his recent win at the Later Life Lending Awards.
Congratulations on winning Newcomer of the Year at the inaugural Later Life Lending Awards; how important is getting this recognition to you?
Thank you – I am incredibly proud to win the award. Anything that allows our industry to raise awareness of the work that we are all doing is positive and, on a personal level, recognition from a panel of industry experts is extremely satisfying.
What do you think sets your business apart from others in the field?
We aim to deliver an unparalleled level of service. When dealing with Cooper Associates Group, a client will feel valued, reassured, engaged, respected, and like they are our absolute number one priority.
We understand the clients’ needs before applying our experience and expertise to recommend the most suitable solution to meet requirements.
How important is it to recognise achievement in the sector?
The refreshing thing for me is that it feels like we are all in it together.
We are a community of individuals and firms from across the entire market getting together to recognise the very best and most important contributions that allow our industry to continue gaining popularity and grow, so to see everyone in one place, celebrating the success stories collectively, is a wonderful thing.
Looking ahead how do you see the next 12 months playing out for the later life market?
Clearly, the next 12 months will be challenging, but our industry has overcome adversity before, and I am confident that by sticking together, we can continue to build confidence and allow change.
What advice would you give to someone looking to join the market?
I certainly don’t regret my decision to work in later life lending. It has been a hugely enjoyable and rewarding first year in the role, and I have been very fortunate to have the support of some fantastic people along the way.
I would encourage any newcomers to the market to make the best use of networking events, online resources, and lender interaction to familiarise yourself with the industry as quickly as possible. Get involved – you will be made to feel very welcome.
