The Specialist Finance Academy (SFA), founded by broker and business owner Kim McGinley, has officially reopened today following a relaunch that introduces a new partnership with mortgage club Brilliant Solutions.

This marks the first time the Academy has teamed up with a mortgage club, a move intended to extend its reach and deepen support for brokers working in the complex specialist finance sector.

The relaunch sees the SFA returning with an updated digital platform, expanded educational content, and a more structured membership model offering practical, broker-led training.

Michael Craig, managing director of Brilliant Solutions, described the partnership as a natural fit, saying: “We’re incredibly excited to be partnering with the Specialist Finance Academy (SFA) and especially proud to be the first mortgage club to do so.

“At Brilliant Solutions, we’ve always believed that broker education is the foundation of better outcomes for clients, especially in the specialist lending sector, and it’s clear that SFA shares those same values.”

EDUCATION AND SUPPORT

Founded in 2020, the SFA was created to address a growing need for clearer education and practical support for brokers operating outside the mainstream lending market. McGinley (pictured), who also built Hampshire-based brokerage VIBE Finance, has positioned the Academy as an extension of her mission to demystify specialist finance for a broader cohort of brokers.

“The Academy exists to cut through the noise,” said McGinley. “We know the pain points. Brokers feel overwhelmed, undertrained, and unsure how to place complex deals. We are here to change that.

“The partnership with Brilliant Solutions is a proud moment because their values mirror ours. They care about brokers, they care about outcomes, and they get it.”

The Academy’s content is overseen by director of education George Sanford, whose remit includes developing training that is focused on real-world lending scenarios. The offering is built around two membership tiers – Core and Pro – with each level providing access to templates, deal placement resources, lender insights, and ongoing support.

To coincide with the relaunch, McGinley and Sanford are hosting a webinar at 10am this morning, offering brokers an inside look at the Academy’s refreshed platform and a limited-time membership offer for attendees.