January’s Mortgage Solutions’ Equity Release Awards celebrated excellence across the entire industry and our congratulations go to all of the winners. Here’s what those who picked up individual gongs had to say about why they thought they were selected.

Outstanding Contribution

Claire Barker, Managing Director at, Equilaw: “My team and I put our heads above the parapet to try to keep the industry moving through Covid, and worked swiftly to lead the work to modify the rules and guidance for the legal element of the transaction. This gave providers continued confidence to lend. We made it clear that the modification was to be more onerous than the usual rule, not less, in order to ensure plenty of mandatory contact points with customers along the way, thus avoiding fraud, duress and mental capacity issues. It means a massive amount to be singled out and recognised for this and, on a personal level, it is a huge honour.”

Best Individual Adviser sponsored by Pure Retirement

Amanda Parsons, Director of AAP Financial Solutions: “Winning this award means the world to me. My personal satisfaction has come from the endorsements from clients, past and present, who have responded in a way I never dreamt possible. I truly believe that the advice I have given over the years has changed lives. I guess the judges could see my passion and commitment to the cause. When I started, the product was very different from what it is today. I have developed my knowledge and skills as the market has grown and changed and this has allowed me to really value and appreciate those changes and what it has meant to get where we are today.”

Best BDM, sponsored by Mortgage Solutions

Sanjay Gadhia, Business Development Manager at more2life: “I’ve worked in financial services for more than 15 years, and have spent most of this time in a B2B environment supporting advisers. I think I was picked out for this award because I’m customer-centric. The customer is my focus and I aim to support them to get the best outcome. Receiving this award has been a very proud moment for me. With all that is going on, it brought a smile to my face. I’m quite overwhelmed but taking it in my stride. I may even have paused for all of 24 hours but, for now, I’m continuing to support my advisers and our clients.”

The winners in full: Best Financial Adviser – five or fewer advisers sponsored by LV=, Fluent Lifetime; Best Financial Adviser – six  to 19 advisers sponsored by Just, Viva Retirement Solutions; Best Financial Adviser – 20+ advisers sponsored by Canada Life, Equity Release Supermarket, Best Individual Adviser sponsored by Pure Retirement, Amanda Parsons, AAP Financial Solutions; Best Distributor for Development & Support sponsored by Hodge, Premier Equity Release Club; Best Conveyancer, Equilaw; Best Surveyor, Countrywide Surveying Services; Best BDM sponsored by Mortgage Solutions, Sanjay Gadhia, more2life; Best Provider for Development & Support sponsored by Equilaw, Pure Retirement; Best Provider for Product Innovation sponsored by Equity Release Supermarket, Pure Retirement; Best Provider Lifetime Mortgages sponsored by Equity Release Council, more2life; Outstanding Contribution, Claire Barker, Equilaw.