The Intermediary catches up with Stuart Powell of Ocean Equity Release following the firm’s recent win at the Later Life Lending Awards.
Congratulations on winning ‘Best Small Advisory Firm’ at the inaugural Later Life Lending Awards; how important is getting this recognition to you?
It was our first major award and we won it exactly four years after starting the business so it was a very significant achievement for us.
What do you think sets your business apart from others in the field?
We demonstrate great service to our clients via our reviews from clients and introduced.
We are a positive force in promoting the later life lending industry with initiatives like our Facebook groups for the industry and for clients, as well as our newly released equity release podcast.
How important is it to recognise achievement in the sector?
Hopefully, people will look at the recipients of the awards and be inspired to follow their example.
Entering awards like this is so important as it makes you analyse what you do as a business for your clients and how you do it.
Looking ahead how do you see the next 12 months playing out for the later life market?
It will be a market in which great reputation, awards and reviews play a huge role in helping potential clients decide who they want to advise them.
What advice would you give to someone looking to join the market?
Talk to a person or company who already works in the industry as their experience can help support your entry into the market.
How do you rate your chances of defending your win next year?
Due to the increasing calibre of companies in the market, if we repeat exactly what we did in 2022, we will not win next year.
Only by improving and evolving will we stand a chance. Our plan to do that is already well underway!
