The need for adviser firms to adapt to a changing market was the main message at the Complete FS Expo on Friday 26th July at the Hilton Ageas Bowl, Southampton.

This year the theme for the day was MUSIC FESTIVALS with all delegates having to get through security first! They were welcomed, not only by the friendly Complete FS staff, but by Dolly Parton and Boy George look-alikes. Many exhibitors and delegates took the opportunity to have their photo taken with Dolly & Boy George which caused a bit of laughter.

Lenders took on the FESTIVAL theme and Kensington even had a caricaturist on their stand. The opening acts saw Dolly sing ‘9 to 5’ and Boy George sing ‘Karma Chameleon’, with some help from Andy Virgo at Lendinvest.

This years’ main sponsor was Shawbrook Bank and the keynote speech from their Head of Sales for Commercial Property, Gavin Seaholme. He awarded Complete FS with a memento to celebrate 250 completions with Shawbrook Bank and commented “the Complete Expo has become one of best attended and eagerly anticipated annual gatherings for specialist lenders and intermediaries in the UK”.

The other keynote speakers included Kensington Mortgages, Landbay, Octane Capital, One Savings Bank, Pepper Money and Precise Mortgages. These were supplemented by four 15 minute round table presentations by Zephyr Homeloans, Dudley BS, Foundation Homeloans, Masthaven Bank, MT Finance, Together, The Mortgage Lender, Shawbrook.

Delegates heard that specialist lending is playing an increasingly dominant role in the intermediary space due to high street lenders focus on direct Product Transfers and their reliance on ‘credit score’ lending. In turn, this is leading to growing opportunities in the specialist arena for the customer that fails the computerised process the high street lenders favour. Finding the right deal for this type of customer also requires the adviser to look beyond the sourcing system and engage with specialist packagers in order to provide an effective and reliable service. Delegates were asked to take time to assess their current contact strategy and aim to look at and welcome new developments in technology embracing new business channels because to stand still in a fast moving market increased the likelihood of being left behind.

We believe the Complete FS Expo is about giving advisers knowledge and access to new ways of thinking which will help them in their businesses. This year we had record attendance and the turnout more than amplified the belief that events like this with a strong central theme built around specialist lending with amazing support from lenders and providers are giving delegates valuable insights into how they can grow and sustain their business. A big thank you to all the delegates who gave up their day for us – it is greatly appreciated. Also, well done and thanks for the 30+ lenders/exhibitors who made the day go so amazingly well.