Registration is open for next year’s inaugural Equity Release Summit, which is being organised by the Equity Release Council.

The organisers anticipate that it will be one of the “landmark” events in the industry’s calendar.

The one-day Summit takes place on Thursday 12 March in Church House Westminster, London, and the main sponsor for the event is Key Group.

In addition to keynote addresses by senior politicians and sector leaders, the Summit will feature core plenary sessions focusing on broad issues of interest to Council members and the wider sector.

Announcements will follow in the coming days and weeks, on the Summit’s dedicated website at www.equityreleasesummit.com, where delegates can also register for the event.

Jim Boyd, CEO of the Equity Release Council, said: “Equity release has come of age as a mainstream later life lending product.

“To reflect the increasing importance of equity release in meeting the needs of the ageing population, we are organising a landmark event targeted at market participants and stakeholders, including politicians and journalists.

“It will provide insight and explore the role of housing wealth to supplement pensions, intergenerational fairness and long-term care funding.

“We will also be running specific industry-focused breakout sessions to educate and inform advisers and solicitors who practice in this important and growing market.”

Simon Thompson, group CEO at Key Group, added: “At Key Group, we are committed to working with the industry to develop later life lending in order to help more people finance a better retirement.

“This is why we are delighted to be lead sponsor for the Council’s inaugural Equity Release Summit.

“This prestigious event will look to bring the widest possible group of stakeholders together to consider the issues facing this market and help us explore how we can innovate and educate to better serve our customers.”

The Equity Release Summit is the latest initiative by the Equity Release Council to support its members’ work and promote the benefits that equity release can deliver for consumers.

Throughout 2019 the Council welcomed government and shadow ministers to its events, including a Parliamentary summer reception that attracted more than 170 attendees.

The Council said Summit delegates can expect a similar calibre of speakers but the programme will remain highly relevant for all involved in the equity release sales and advice process.

The Summit is open to both Council members and non-members and early bird rates are available until 12 January.