Stonebridge Group has hit the landmark number of 500 active advisers in the network.
The 500 advisers are spread across 226 firms who are appointed representatives (ARs) of the network, a growth of 25% over the course of 2016. At the start of 2015 Stonebridge Group was the Principal for 405 advisers.
Based on current projections for the network, Stonebridge Group is anticipating similar growth in adviser numbers by the end of 2017.
In terms of business levels, Stonebridge is anticipating that both mortgage and protection volumes will have grown more than 50% during this year and that this will continue into next year.
Earlier this year, Stonebridge also launched its Genus proposition for directly authorised (DA) firms and advisers. It has seen a steady growth with over 100 advisers now using the proposition and the Group anticipates this growth will continue in the months ahead.
Paul Nye, director of business partnerships at Stonebridge Group and Stonebridge Genus, said: “To have reached the 500-adviser landmark within the network is a major achievement for the business and continues to show the progression we have made in terms of our development as a chosen Principal partner. Certainly, over the course of the last two years we have grown the level of products and services available to our AR firms, plus coupled with our focus on technology, we believe this marks us out as a network which offers both quality and breadth.
“We continue to remain completely focused on helping our advisers secure and write business and this has resulted in a notable increase in conversion rates for both mortgage and protection advice. We anticipate further growth in both these sectors throughout the course of 2017.
“Our recently launched Stonebridge Genus DA proposition has also developed well over the past six months. We anticipate that increasing numbers of DA firms will be looking for a partner that can provide them with flexible support across their key business areas including technology, marketing and protection panel and will add real value to their business.
“Overall, we expect to see continued growth in market share for both the network and Genus with many more advisers coming on board in 2017. We remain fully focused on helping our AR firms and DA advisers find the necessary solutions to support and grow their businesses.”
