Stonebridge has set ambitious targets for growth in 2015, with managing director Richard Adams stating that “we appreciate that we will only meet those if we invest into our infrastructure in order to ensure ongoing scalability.”
He told FTAdviser: “We have been the fastest growing network in the country over the last 18 months and it has been particularly pleasing that we have managed to maintain our high quality of service through this growth period.
“The challenge for us is to continue growing our network whilst keeping those high service standards in place.”
Stonebridge will be looking to bring on board new appointed representative firms and will be targeting those firms looking for a specialist mortgage/protection network, as well as those registered individuals who may be looking to start-up an AR business, Mr Adam said.
At the same time, he noted the growing number of directly authorised firms who can increasingly see the benefits of network support, adding that Stonebridge would cater for those looking to move to AR status, and others who might wish to remain DAs, but still access the network’s mortgage and protection proposition.
“It is important that we provide firms with a variety of options in order to allow them to do this,” stated Mr Adams. “We are now offering our software platform, Revolution, to DA firms as well as all our ARs and we will be developing the software further in order to support all our firms’ needs.
He commented that technology is a vital tool for advisers in terms of compliance, client management, lead generation and introducer relationships.
“We will also be developing the marketing support we give to firms – covering business to business, business to consumer and social media, in order to help enhance firms’ offering to clients.
“2015 promises to be a big year for the market, and we fully expect to meet (and perhaps surpass) our projected growth targets over that period.”
emma.hughes@ft.com
