Expo offers secured loans seminars

The seminar theatre, sponsored by Brilliant Loans, is a first for the Expo show. The seminar programme, in association with the Association of Finance Brokers (AFB), runs for the full two days and covers the following areas:

• Looking to the future. A look at the changing landscape for the secured loans industry with presentations by Julian Nutley, director of GE Money Home Lending and Jeanette Harwood, head of regulatory services at Walker Morris.

• Technology. Toby Hughes, business development manager at Leadbay and Chadd Mutyambizi, business consultant at Target Group, explore the technological options available for today’s secured loan broker.

• Build your own secured loan business. Two of the most experienced industry figures, David Burrows, director of UK Personal Loans, and Gerry Lafferty, managing director of Access Broker Services, outline what works best in the industry.

Daniel Nwaokolo, Mortgage Business Expo Manchester show director, commented: “The secured loan market has grown considerably in the last few years and Mortgage Business Expo is keen to ensure that delegates have access to both product provider and master broker exhibitors enabling them to keep up-to-date with this developing sector.

“The AFB seminar programme offers a wide range of topics and speakers providing guidance to potential new entrants to this potentially lucrative market and those advisers looking to build their secured loan businesses. Mortgage Business Expo Manchester caters for all secured loan advisers’ needs under one roof and delegates are invited to join us for a richly informative two days.”

Paul Guy, head of secured loans at Brilliant Loans, said: “Brilliant Loans are delighted to sponsor the secured loans seminar theatre at Mortgage Business Expo in Manchester. We are fully committed to offering a fresh approach to secured loans in the marketplace with both intermediaries and their clients in mind, and we were enthused to see the thought-provoking programme scheduled for both days of the exhibition in the theatre.”

Robert Sinclair, director of the Association of Finance Brokers (AFB), said: “Secured loans are a growing part of the overall mortgage offering, with more brokers looking at these as a credible alternative to a mortgage or a further advance. As the trade body representing the interests of secured loan brokers this puts us at the heart of the industry.

“The team we have put together to present at the Seminar Theatre is top notch, with something for everyone. Existing brokers will learn a lot from the sessions on the changing landscape for secured loans and the impact of technology. Those looking to expand their options by offering secured loans will also benefit from the technology session and the building your business presentations.”

Meanwhile, the Expo will include the International Property Investment Pavilion, sponsored by Moneycorp, for the first time.

The Pavilion is a chance for IFAs and brokers to meet developers, lenders and foreign exchange organisations to discover how they can benefit from the vast and rapidly developing property investment market.

The Pavilion, sponsored by Moneycorp, offers opportunities for interested parties to see a selection of exhibiting international property developers and agents specialising in locations from across the world.

The more exotic property markets such as Brazil, Thailand and Malaysia will be represented as well as established countries like Spain, Portugal, Cyprus, Turkey, Florida, Canada, France and Italy. Emerging overseas property markets such as Bulgaria, Romania, Croatia, Egypt, Dubai, and Morocco will also feature.

Siobhan McAfee, International Property Investment show manager, commented: “This show is a fantastic opportunity for IFAs to learn about the latest market developments as well as finding out about the key issues specific to individual countries and regions.

“Agents interested in the overseas property market should register for Mortgage Business Expo in Manchester to see for themselves the many exciting new opportunities for intermediaries to grow their businesses.”

Daniel Nwaokolo, Mortgage Business Expo Manchester show director, commented: “In 2006, Britons spent nearly £20 billion on overseas property. This, and the fact that record numbers of Britons are relocating overseas, means there has never been a better time for intermediaries and IFAs to learn more about the opportunities in the national and international markets and build their business in a secure way.

“Following the huge success of last year’s London show, the 2007 exhibition targets the important community of IFAs and brokers in the North. The International Property Investment Pavilion at Manchester Business Expo provides delegates with access to the key experts within the overseas property market.”

Scott Mawer of Alpha Panareti Ltd – Cyprus, an exhibitor at the Pavilion, commented: “As a route to market, IFAs work extremely well for us. After exhibiting at the International Property Investment Pavilion in London last year, we struck up a very lucrative relationship with a large IFA network. This network has already sold numerous properties for us this year - over thirty in one particular week last month.”