Advisers hail successful Bridgewater business planning workshops
Equity release advisers have delivered a positive response to Bridgewater Equity Release series of business planning workshops which took place during December 2010 and January 2011.
The home reversion specialist held four events across the country which, for the first time, offered advisers help and support in creating a clear business strategy for achieving growth in 2011. The workshops focused on helping advisers develop and write a strong and coherent business plan for 2011 and beyond which would help drive the firm towards growth in all types of business sectors, particularly equity release sales.
Over 90% of advisers who attended the workshops rated the event as valuable with a number already penning business plans straight after their workshops. Over 80% said they would attend another workshop in the near future while over 90% commended the content of the day and the facilitation provided by Bridgewater staff.
Advisers who attended are now keeping in regular contact through a specific LinkedIn group dedicated to delivering ongoing support.
Peter Welch, Head of Sales and Distribution at Bridgewater Equity Release, commented:
"With these workshops it was always our intention to take advisers out of their comfort zones so they could look hard at how they run their advisory practices and question whether their existing strategy and processes were delivering the results they wanted to see. From our post-workshop analysis we believe advisers left with a much clearer idea of the business plan they needed in place to ensure their propositions were not just fit for purpose but in the best possible shape to develop their range of services. These workshops and our Broker Forum events are part of our commitment to our adviser partners to help them develop their equity release propositions and ensure they have all the knowledge and support they need to source new customers and deliver a quality service across the board. We are pleased with the outcome and feedback from the events and it is our intention to hold similar workshops across the country in the months ahead."
Mike Pears, Senior Partner at Mortgage Expressions who attended the Warrington workshop, said:
"It was refreshing to get together with other like-minded advisers to discuss the development of this subject that is often misunderstood by clients and other finance professionals. It was good to be challenged by the format of the day into analysing business approaches and examining existing practices within our own business. The day developed into an event that seemed to challenge participants and move them out of their comfort zones. I came away with much to think about and some ideas about how to develop my business and this led to developing a structured approach to the equity release side of my business for 2011. We have also formed a group of people who intend to stay in contact via LinkedIn and by means of further meetings with each other."
Keith Galgut at Hightree Financial Services Ltd who attended the London workshop, added:
"Seminars and workshops of this nature form an invaluable part of keeping current. There are some events in the market place which are more biased towards sales while this Bridgewater workshop was geared towards structure, planning, development and education. The seminars were aimed at specialist practitioners and the exchange of experience, ideas and information ensured a high level of ability. I would certainly attend future Bridgewater events of this nature."
For more information on Bridgewater Equity Release, visit: www.bridgewaterequityrelease.co.uk
- Ends -
For further information please contact:
Peter Welch, Head of Sales and Distribution, Bridgewater Equity Release, Mobile: 07824 412439
Kurt Mueller, Grainger plc (parent company of Bridgewater Equity Release), Mobile: 07584235088; [email protected]
Mike Pears, Mortgage Expressions, Tel: 01477534410
Keith Galgut, Hightree Financial Services Ltd, Tel: 02082386363
Rob Griffiths, White Dragon Communications Ltd, Tel: 01483549282, Mobile: 07983641566; [email protected]
Notes to editors
Bridgewater Equity Release Limited was founded in 1998 and is the UK’s leading provider of home reversion plans with over 4,000 home reversion customers.
Bridgewater Equity Release Limited is an award-winning provider and a member of Safe Home Income Plans (SHIP), the company dedicated to the protection of plan holders and the promotion of safe home income and equity release plans. Bridgewater offers a range of plans which abide by the SHIP Code of Practice.
It is committed to ensuring that all its customers are fully aware of the scheme they are entering into and have considered all alternatives.
Bridgewater Equity Release is a subsidiary of Grainger plc, which was established in 1912.
Grainger plc is the largest specialist residential property owner and manager traded on the London Stock Exchange. Its business activities in the UK and Germany cover ownership, trading, fund management, property management and development of residential property. Grainger is also a leading provider of retirement housing solutions, including home reversion products through Bridgewater Equity Release. Grainger owns approximately £2.1 billion of property assets and manages over 36,500 properties valued at £2.7 billion.
Bridgewater Equity Release Ltd
Citygate, St James’ Boulevard
Newcastle upon Tyne
Tyne and Wear
NE1 4JE
Tel: 01912424820
Fax: 0191-269 5974
E-mail: [email protected]