Sara Robinson, director of adviser services at Equity Release Associates (ERA), is to take on the day-to-day running of the adviser network following the departure of Dan Baines.

Robinson (pictured), who was promoted to director in December last year, will take over the running of ERA from the beginning of May.

She said: “These are exciting times for Equity Release Associates, our network of IFAs has grown by 20% since the beginning of the year and the team has gone from strength to strength, with the recent appointments of Katie Parkinson as marketing manager and Sarah Major as training & compliance officer.

“Dan has been a great leader since the inception of ERA in 2020. He built the adviser network from scratch, as he firmly believes that the service and toolkit which we provide to the advisers enables them to enrich the lives of their clients.

“As we are part of the wider Age Partnership group, Equity Release Associates will continue to utilise the groups leading technology, systems, administration and compliance skills for the benefit of our network.

“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge which I welcome with open arms. With the support of my colleagues, I’m excited to build on the upwards trajectory that the network has experienced over the past 18 months.”

Robinson will be supported by Age Partnership’s CRO Justin Wysocki, who added: “Sara has worked in the equity release market for over 14 years and has had some fantastic achievements during this time. Coupled with her experience of Equity Release Associates, this made Sara the clear choice for taking over the baton from Dan.

“The team at ERA is full of energy and enthusiasm for enabling advisers to help their clients have the retirement that they deserve.”