Air has revealed plans to partner with HLP to boost the network’s proposition to members.
HLP advisers with later life lending permissions will now gain an annual membership to Air Academy, the CPD training platform. Every 12 months HLP advisers will be re-tested on their knowledge of the market, to ensure they are up to date with new and developing training modules.
HLP is the first major network to enter an exclusive partnership with Air Academy, and the new collaboration is intended to increase standards for members who provide guidance on equity release products.
As a result, HLP advisers will gain access to Air’s Knowledge Bank and Marketing Hub. Air Academy offers an equalisation of proc fees, as well as additional opportunities for CPD.
Air Academy is introducing an enhanced Fact Find feature, which is fully approved and supported by the HLP Network. Air will still offer the ‘Standard’ option – giving advisers flexibility to skip or add questions within a set questionnaire framework – but it is now debuting the ‘Corporate Partner Endorsed’ option, on top of this.
The Corporate Partner Endorsed option is enhanced with additional questions to capture ‘soft facts’ from the customer. Although the enhanced fact find contains more mandatory options to support affordability purposes, users can still add questions and use templates across both versions.
HLP advisers will be mandated to undertake Air Academy Courses and will gain access to nine Air Academy modules, including the Vulnerability module, for no additional charge. Advisers may also benefit from free evaluations, or MOTs, to help identify areas for continued professional development and improvement.
Paul Glynn, CEO at Air, said: “Air is proud to offer HLP’s talented network of advisers full access to Air Academy. It’s an industry first, and a strong step towards ensuring all later-life lending advisers have unmitigated access to the most effective tools for delivering the best possible service to their customers, while being compliant with FCA regulations.
“As we all know, the Consumer Duty is an ongoing commitment, and one we can readily meet by embracing the best educational resources our industry has to offer.”
Shaun Almond (pictured), managing director at HLP, added: “At HLP, we are dedicated to ensuring our network’s members can improve their business through industry-leading CPD courses and by accessing high-quality resources. Our exclusive partnership with Air Academy – an industry first – will equip our advisers to stay in lockstep with evolving regulations so they can deliver the very best outcomes to customers.
“It’s an exciting moment in our shared history, and we are looking forward to our network making the most of Air Academy’s top flight services.”