The Equity Release Council (ERC) has appointed two independent non-executive directors Barry Meeks and Mike Hughes to join its leadership team.

Meeks and Hughes will work alongside the ERC executive and member firms to ensure responsible stewardship of its consumer standards and shape its strategic plans.

Meeks has held non-executive director and chief executive roles at various organisations in mortgages, banking and retail financial services including Legal & General Home Finance, Homeloan Management, Tenet Group and Pink Homeloans alongside challenger banks, peer-to-peer lenders and technology providers. 

Hughes is an experienced executive director and non-executive director with expertise in developing regulated product provision and advising businesses to deliver improved customer outcomes.

His career has included senior roles at HL Partnership, Dudley Building Society, Aegon and Castle Trust. He also currently serves as a non-executive director and trustee of Youth Adventure Trust.

The council now counts 1,750 individuals as members from over 700 organisations, including providers, funders, financial advisers, solicitors, surveyors and other industry professionals from areas including mortgages, pensions, wealth management and financial planning.

ERC chair David Burrowes says: “I am delighted to welcome Mike and Barry to the Council. They both bring a vast depth of experience in retail financial services, and their independent perspectives and focus on putting customers first will be invaluable as our organisation and market continue to evolve.”

“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.”