The Equity Release Council has announced the appointment of two independent non-executive directors, Barry Meeks and Mike Hughes, to join its leadership team and steer the growing organisation into its second decade.

Meeks and Hughes will work alongside the Council executive and member firms to ensure responsible stewardship of the organisation’s consumer standards and shape its strategic plans as equity release continues to take a broader role in later life financial planning.

Meeks has held NED and chief executive roles at a host of organisations in mortgages, banking and retail financial services including Legal & General Home Finance, Homeloan Management Ltd, Tenet Group and Pink Homeloans alongside challenger banks, peer-to-peer lenders and technology providers. He is a chartered director and a fellow of the Institute of Directors since 2015.

Hughes is an experienced executive director and NED with expertise in developing regulated product provision and advice businesses to deliver improved customer outcomes, including launching an equity release proposition for Legal & General Bank which became part of Northern Rock. His career has included senior roles at HL Partnership, Dudley Building Society, Aegon and Castle Trust.

David Burrowes, chair of the Equity Release Council, commented: “These important appointments set us up to build on 30 years of work as we continue to build confidence and choice in the modern equity release market, by promoting sustainable growth and responsible stewardship.

“Property wealth has a vital contribution to make to support the UK’s ageing population. The Council is committed to its unique responsibility to ensure customers’ voices are represented, alongside those of all our members, as we explore the continued safe growth of the sector.”

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