The Equity Release Council has appointed Chris Fay to the position of communications manager.

The appointment is designed to support the organisation’s continued growth.

Fay is a former newspaper journalist and communications professional with over 15 years’ experience. He previously worked for the Chartered Trading Standards Institute (CTSI), where he worked closely with the Department of Business Energy and Industrial Strategy on a business education initiative aimed at driving up compliance.

He brings further national trade body experience having worked with the Local Government Association and the National Pharmacy Association.

Fay will be in charge of the Council’s corporate communications programme. He will work alongside David Burrowes as chairman, Jim Boyd as CEO and Donna Bathgate as COO to help the Council build awareness around the social value that equity release can provide people in later life.

He will also help promote the sector’s safeguards and standards around products and advice to consumers, which was a key priority identified by 68% of members in the Council’s latest Member Census. Promoting the benefits of being part of the Council to existing and potential members will be another core area of his role.

His appointment is joined by that of Olivia Underwood, who will be taking on the role of administration and support assistant. The team will be located at the Council’s new office in the City of London.

Boyd said: “I am extremely pleased to welcome Chris and Olivia to the team. They will play a valuable role as we continue to evolve the Council to meet the needs of this growing and socially important sector.”

“More people than ever are using their property wealth alongside their other assets when they plan for later life. The steady growth of the sector means consumers can benefit from best practice in the advice, protection and products available to them. Chris’ passion for consumer protection will prove vital in adding value to our members and he will play a central role in building the next chapter of the sector’s journey.”

Fay added: “I am thrilled to join the Council at an incredibly exciting time for the sector, as it continues to meet the varying needs of consumers. With equity release now established in the mainstream of later life financial planning, the professionalism of the market and the care given to consumers is more important than ever. I look forward to representing this fast-growing sector and to raising awareness about the varied ways in which equity release can help consumers meet their later-life planning goals.”