This edition of Focus On features Laura Gibson, the Council’s membership and business development manager. Read on to learn about Laura and her aspirations for the sector.
Can you describe your role at the Council?
As membership and business development manager, my role at the Council is varied and is focused on building long term relationships with new and existing members, as well as partnerships in the wider industry.
The best thing about my role is bringing people together and providing opportunities for members to engage with the Council. However, I feel what is most important are relationships fostered among our members, for the benefit of member businesses, the wider industry and later life customers.
Events including the Equity Release Summit, held in Westminster London and now the inaugural Adviser Summit ensure I am kept very busy! Since joining, I now also host the quarterly virtual event called, Lunch and Learn with Laura. It is a great opportunity for members to have a relaxed and informal virtual chat on topics that are important to them. The next instalment is in December, so keep an eye out for details.
Can you tell us a bit about yourself, your background, and how it has prepared you for your current role at the Council?
I am not embarrassed to say it, but I am a self-confessed membership nerd! I have been working within membership organisations for my whole career, all various shapes and sizes of organisations. From 2010 to 2015, I worked for The Labour Party which is one of the largest membership bodies in the UK. I was there for full election-cycle so it was great experience. I have also worked for small professional associations supporting public safety technology industries, health care professionals and sports clubs. In my last role, I led the day-to-day operations for the Institute of Association Leadership, an international network of association chief executives and senior leaders.
I have a passion for people and take pride in implementing initiatives that increase relevance, diversity and most importantly value for the Council membership.
What are your thoughts on the future direction of the equity release?
Training and education need to be a clear focus for the industry, especially to engage and equip the next generation of equity release professionals. I also think that increasing diversity within the industry is very important.
Just for fun, please share something about you that not many people know!
I have a passion for travel and have a life goal to visit at least one hundred countries. At 34, I’m almost halfway there and visited my 46th country just this month.
I live at the coast, just outside of Newcastle and I do enjoy a cold-water swim in the North Sea! I live with my husband Matthew and our miniature dachshund Cooper, who keeps me on my toes as a dog mummy! Oh yes, and how can I forget… I am also a lifelong supporter of Newcastle United.
Is there anything else that you would like to tell us?
Yes. I am very excited about the upcoming Adviser Summit. It is the first ever dedicated event for our adviser community and I’m looking forward to welcoming delegates to Manchester (a little closer to home)
Our inaugural Adviser Summit programme has been designed to enhance advisers’ knowledge of the salient issues impacting our sector, with the primary aim of raising standards in equity release advice. The programme is underpinned by the Equity Release Council’s competency framework, an educational syllabus supporting financial advisers and their professional development across six in-depth modules. The Adviser Summit offers an exciting opportunity to really shine a light on the sector and the crucial role that our advisers play in delivering positive outcomes for customers. Our sector is full of fantastic people who care a lot about their customers, I’d really like to use the event to showcase this.
There is still time to book your place, please click here to find out more: https://equityreleasesummit.com/adviser-summit/as-register/
