The Equity Release Council is to launch a new leadership format for its annual Later Life Lending Summit, bringing together senior figures from financial services, pensions, banking, regulation and government.
The inaugural Later Life Lending Summit: Leaders’ Symposium will take place at Church House Westminster on 16 June and will combine a senior leadership forum with a formal discussion-led lunch.
Emad Aladhal, director of retail banking at the Financial Conduct Authority, will deliver the regulatory keynote address, setting out the FCA’s view of the market as the regulator undertakes its Later Life Mortgages Market Study.
The Rt Hon Caroline Nokes MP (pictured), deputy speaker of the House of Commons and former minister and chair of the Women and Equalities Select Committee, will deliver a keynote speech during the formal leadership lunch.
The symposium is being held as the industry responds to increasing regulatory attention and a changing retirement landscape.
The event will examine how property wealth can be more effectively integrated into mainstream retirement planning, while maintaining consumer protections, professional standards and public trust.
A central theme will be the need for a more holistic approach to later life finances, recognising the role of pensions, housing wealth and long-term financial resilience in retirement outcomes.
The programme will also include sessions on funding and innovation, women and retirement, international perspectives and responsible growth, trust and consumer outcomes.
Delegates are expected from across the UK, Europe, North America and Asia. The headline sponsors are Finova and Legal & General.
Mike Batty, product and propositions director, retail retirement at L&G, said: “Financial planning for retirement and later life needs to be considered more holistically. For homeowners, this can mean thinking about the value tied up in their property, alongside pension pots and other savings and investments, for a more complete picture of their retirement income options.
“We’re delighted to sponsor the new symposium as it offers the chance for the industry to forge a more joined-up approach to later life finances.”
Gareth Richardson, chief executive at Finova, said: “As the later life lending market continues to evolve, underpinned by longer life expectancy and extended working lives, collaboration across the industry will be critical to ensuring customers can access more suitable and flexible financial solutions in retirement.
“As a sponsor of the symposium and the technology provider supporting around 70% of the UK later life lending market, Finova is delighted to support this important initiative and the conversations shaping the future of the sector.”
The council said it will unveil its new Retirement Compass at the symposium, a tracker examining retirement finance adequacy undertaken in partnership with Fairer Finance.
