Mortgage & protection network HLPartnership (HLP) has appointed Sue Read as its later life lending manager.

HLP says it was one of the first networks to allow its members to advise on Retirement Interest Only (RIO) products with their current mortgage permissions.

Members looking to offer more holistic advice to older customers in this growing market are helped to take the relevant qualification for equity release products, should they feel that this could become a significant part of their business offering. For those that do not, HLP encourages members to work with a later life lending specialist within the network who has the appropriate skills and knowledge to advise on the wider later life lending options.

Read, who joined HLP in March as a trainer, has an extensive background in equity release and compliance with networks and mortgage clubs and will ensure that those members looking to either move into later life lending, or grow their existing businesses, have the support and knowledge to deliver the right customer outcomes.

She will be joined by Kristofer Geisdorf, who has been appointed as later life lending compliance manager.

Shaun Almond (pictured), HLP managing director, said: “We have already made a considerable investment in our later life lending proposition through our Pathway to Competence programme, and I am delighted to welcome Sue to this new role.

“With her skills and experience, the later life lending offering from HLP will offer even greater value to our members, enabling them to confidently advise their customers either themselves or via a robust referral service within the network.”