Consumer protection a priority for board members
The UK’s representative trade body for the UK equity release sector has confirmed two positions on its board. The Equity Release Council say that the appointments reflect its ongoing commitment to placing consumer interests at the heart of its governance.
The first announcement is the reappointment of David Burrowes as chair of the board for a third and final term. It’s a position he has held since 2017, and during his tenure the Council has grown to a membership of over 750 firms and 1,800 individuals.
Mr Burrowes is a solicitor and was previously an MP for 13 years, where he served across government departments. These included the Cabinet Office and the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs.
He says: “It has been a privilege to represent Council members during a period when lifetime mortgages have moved into the mainstream conversation about later life finances.”
The Council has also confirmed that Michelle Highman joins the board as an independent non-executive director. This is in addition to her role as chair of the Council’s standards committee, which she has led since April 2023.
As well as her roles on the Council’s board and standards committee, Ms Highman is also CEO of The Money Charity. This provides education and information to help people achieve financial wellbeing by managing their money well. She previously played a key role in setting up the Money Advice Service – now known as the Money and Pensions Service.
She says: “I’m looking forward to taking a seat on the board and building on the great progress to date to help meet consumers’ evolving needs. I am committed to keeping homeowners’ interests front and centre as we look to promote safe market growth and answer society’s challenges.”
