Stonebridge has published details of its 2024 National Conference agenda, followed by an evening awards dinner plus special guests appearing at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole on 26th February.
The conference will be the largest in the network’s history, designed to support Stonebridge Appointed Representative (AR) firms and advisers.
The 2024 event will look at topics from practical pointers for improving productivity, to leveraging the network’s software platform, Revolution.
Rob Clifford, chief executive, and Jo Carrasco, business partnerships director, will open the conference with a session on both the market and the company’s performance over the past 12 months, its priorities for the year ahead, and updates on trading and business development.
Elizabeth Martins, UK economist at HSBC UK, will be providing a detailed analysis of the economy and the housing market, focusing on the prospects for 2024, the growing influence of a forthcoming General Election, plus the latest predictions shaping both the confidence and spending power of the consumer.
There will also be an ‘Opportunities Abound’ presentation containing quickfire sessions covering: effective strategies to increase penetration of protection business; understanding the opportunities in the later life sector; a regulation update and reflection on Consumer Duty from AMI’s Robert Sinclair; and how firms might benefit from retrofit and promote homebuyer and condition reports.
Jon Dunckley an expert consultant, will cover the science behind supercharging business potential, while the closing keynote address will come from Garrett Emmerson, former CEO of the London Ambulance Service, who led the organisation through the pandemic, as well as responding to multiple major incidents including the two London Bridge attacks and the Grenfell Tower fire tragedy.
Garrett will outline to attendees how to become an effective leader in challenging times, while demonstrating resilience and thinking outside the box to achieve positive outcomes.
Stonebridge will also hold its awards dinner ceremony on the evening of the 26th, where it will recognise AR firms for their contributions throughout 2023, and reward the network’s top performing firms and individuals.
The awards will be hosted by comedian, writer and television host Jimmy Carr.
Clifford said: “Our Annual Conference provides us with a number of opportunities.
“Firstly, to bring together our AR firms and advisers under one roof providing us with a chance to say thank you to them, and to recognise their excellent achievements in 2023.
“Secondly, to provide them with access to a range of insight and experience, and to outline the vast range of opportunities we have available to them, from the benefits they can derive via Revolution, to how they can grow their business their way, not just in the mainstream mortgage marketplace, but also in specialist sectors such as later life lending or buy-to-let, and in the crucial adjacencies such as protection advice and GI.”
He added: “At the same time, we will share how Stonebridge performed in 2023, where 2024 is likely to head, and the future benefits we are planning to deliver to our member firms and their customers.
“Plus, this year, we have some big-picture economic analysis, quickfire sessions on key opportunities particularly in a post-Consumer Duty environment, plus presentations which will look at how to ‘supercharge’ a business and a keynote address from Garrett Emmerson who is going to share his own experience working in a highly challenging role including how to be an effective and resilient leader even in the most trying of circumstances.”
Clifford continued: “Our Awards Dinner is reputed for delivering a memorable evening not least thanks to the many big names which have played a part over the years, such as Rob Beckett last February.
“As usual, we will showcase our top-performing firms, and we are delighted to have Jimmy Carr hosting the Awards event and providing the entertainment this year.
“It promises to be an uplifting and varied day for all attendees, and we’re looking forward to having all members and stakeholders of the Stonebridge family, for our third year at the Hilton Birmingham Metropole.”
