Cavendish Corporate Finance, the UK’s leading mid-market M&A firm and part of the finnCap Group, has advised equity release specialists Responsible Life and Responsible Lending (the Responsible Group) on the sale of a 30% stake to Royal London.

Based in Plymouth and founded in 2010, the Responsible Group is a leading broker and correspondent lender in the later life lending (equity release) industry, with a number of leading distribution partnerships including Aviva and the Telegraph Media Group. Its pioneering ‘Later Life Lending’ scheme is the most compliant form of addressing equity release, with market-leading systems and controls adhering to exceptional conduct standards.

For Royal London, the UK’s largest life, pensions and investment mutual, the acquisition will offer participation in one of the fastest growing markets in financial services. The later life lending sector offers alternative options to those at retirement age who hold equity in their properties and who wish to supplement their pensions saving.

The equity release market, offering a high-yielding alternative asset class for investors, has seen an increased flow of funding recently, with later life lending products set to become a widespread feature of financial planning for an ageing population.

The Responsible Group was advised by Cavendish, led by Partner and Head of Financial Services, Duncan Chandler.

Duncan commented:

“It was a tremendous pleasure to work for Steve and Paul, as Responsible is a first class business and a pioneer with a terrific future ahead of it. Royal London will be a great partner to support and indeed further boost its growth trajectory, in one of the fastest growing sectors in financial services.”