Heath Lambert and Diabetes UK enters equity release market

Key Retirement Solutions, the UK's leading independent equity release adviser, Heath Lambert Group, the UK's leading independent insurance broker and employee benefits consultant, and Diabetes UK, the largest organisation in the UK supporting those living with diabetes, announce an equity release partnership.

The relationship strengthens Heath Lambert's proposition to its existing and new partnerships by providing an equity release advice solution. Key Retirement Solutions and Heath Lambert are pleased to announce Diabetes UK as the first partner who will benefit from this new service.

One of Diabetes UK's priorities is to offer their members access to the best financial advice. Offering an equity release solution provided by Key Retirement Solutions was a natural next step.

For those who are living with certain health conditions, including diabetes, more favourable terms may be available from some providers. The nature of the health condition, including severity, length of condition and the treatment being received, are all factors that may affect the amount that can be released. Conditions that will be considered include diabetes, heart attack, cancer, stroke, chronic respiratory disease, kidney or liver disease, multiple sclerosis, Alzheimer's and high blood pressure/cholesterol.

Peter Hallett, Diabetes UK Affinity Products Manager, said: "People living with diabetes often pay more for their insurances and other financial services so we are delighted to be able to announce some good news for a change. We are very pleased to introduce this new service to our members, supporters and anyone living with diabetes. Additional financial burdens are often a consequence of living with diabetes and this service may help make their lives easier. Diabetes is a serious condition that can lead to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, blindness and amputation."

Diane Caplehorn, Associate Director for Heath Lambert Insurance Services, said: "We have highly talented and respected teams of people who make it their business to look after every need of our partners and clients. As a number of our partners came to us asking for an equity release proposition we soon realised we needed to find a solution. After much careful deliberation we chose to partner with Key Retirement Solutions as we believe they will deliver the quality of service and advice our clients demand."

Dean Mirfin, Business Development Director at Key Retirement Solutions, added: "Our partnership with Heath Lambert Group is testament to the rise of consumer confidence in equity release. We look forward to working with the group, promoting the awareness of the appropriate products, and offering a high quality service. We are extremely proud of the fact that we will be working with Diabetes UK to offer their members our award winning service. We will be working hard with other organisations over the coming months to add more partners to the proposition."

The new service for Diabetes UK officially launches today, 6th October 2008. More information can be found by visiting diabetes.org.uk or calling FREE on 0800 731 7431.