L&G’s Mortgage Club has launched a new Specialist Academy aimed at helping advisers develop their expertise across bridging and other specialist property finance sectors.
The free-to-access programme will see 250 Mortgage Club members take part in its pilot year, combining a recognised qualification with practical learning from specialist lenders.
Participants will work towards the Certified Practitioner in Specialist Property Finance qualification from the LIBF, part of Walbrook Institute London, while also gaining insight into the day-to-day application of specialist finance products.
For the bridging sector, the academy includes dedicated modules covering bridging finance, commercial lending and wider specialist property finance, supported by lender-led content designed to help advisers deal with more complex borrowing requirements.
The programme also covers specialist residential, specialist buy-to-let and second charge lending, with learning delivered through case studies, videos, interactive webinars and expert commentary.
L&G said the initiative forms part of a wider investment in adviser education and specialist lending capability, helping brokers build the confidence to support clients whose circumstances fall outside mainstream lending criteria.
The academy has been developed in partnership with the LIBF, platform partners and 11 specialist lenders. Together is the headline sponsor, with Aldermore, Pepper Money, The Mortgage Lender & Bluestone Mortgages, InterBay, ModaMortgages, CHL Mortgages, Market Harborough Building Society, Paragon, Kensington Mortgages and Vida Homeloans also supporting the inaugural year.
Advisers can register their interest for future programmes through L&G’s dedicated academy webpage.
Clare Beardmore, director of mortgage club at L&G, said: “Specialist lending is one of the most advice-rich areas of the market, making quality adviser education essential. As clients’ needs evolve, advisers need both technical knowledge and real-world insight to deliver the best outcomes.
“That’s why we’re excited to launch our brilliant Specialist Academy, which reflects our commitment to championing the value of advice and equipping advisers with the skills to support a wide range of client needs in this complex market.”
Nick Parker, sales director, network and clubs team at Together, said: “We are delighted to launch Together’s headline sponsorship of the L&G Mortgage Club Specialist Academy. Through providing engaging educational content to support 250 brokers with CPSP qualifications, we are looking to lead the way in raising awareness of the value of specialist lending.
“Our educational modules aim to immerse brokers in bridging and commercial term products so they feel more empowered and confident when cases requiring a specialist lens for these products come their way.”
