Equity release adviser Key has appointed Kyle Lilford as head of sales for Key Direct.

Lilford (pictured) has over experience in the financial services, starting as a financial adviser, moving into estate planning and most recently holding the role of director of lending at Evolution Money, a secured loan specialist.

At Key, Kyle will be responsible for managing Key Direct – the telephone advice team – which continues to grow in parallel to Key’s face-to-face capability, so customers can be serviced through their channel of choice.

Will Hale, CEO, Key said: “With the equity release market growing rapidly, recently hitting the £4 billion mark it is essential that we have the right people in place to continue growing with the market but most importantly so we are able to continue to provide high quality advice and customer service.

“I’d like to welcome Kyle to the team as we continue our 2019 growth plans across the later life planning industry, we’re only a couple of months into the year and 2019 has been an interesting year already.”

Lilford added: “It’s a fantastic time to join the equity release sector, with the significant growth in the market and the level of investment Key is putting into its advice teams I am really looking forward to hitting the ground running within this niche industry and working with fantastic tied partners.”