Mortgage and protection network Stonebridge has updated its compliance operations with separate teams for larger firms, smaller firms and new joiners.
As part of the move the network has created and recruited eight additional full-time roles.
The network said this means each of its 500 appointed representative’s (AR) respective business standards team is based on the profile of the firm.
Larger and rapidly growing ARs will be supervised by dedicated teams, while smaller or sole trader operators have their own dedicated support units.
This should provide greater access and support from the network’s field-based business standards managers, both virtually and face-to-face.
The new partner compliance team will assist new firms and advisers in attaining competent status by providing more focused support and training in the early stages of trading as a member of the network.
Alongside these teams will be compliance development and compliance operations teams.
Rob Clifford, chief executive of Stonebridge, said it was vitally important to develop the offering as the network continues growing.
“Stonebridge moved away some years ago from the one size fits all supervision approach that some networks still seem to use, and this latest enhancement to our model further develops our concept of bespoke support, appropriate to the size and risk-weighting of each AR firm,” he said.
“We also have the establishment of the new partner compliance team and its aim is two-fold: to provide a dedicated service for new firms and advisers as they transition into our supervision program, and to allow the remaining business standards teams to focus purely on delivering quality service and support to the existing 1,000-plus advisers currently operating within the network.“
Jon Stones, managing director of Mortgage 1st, said: “These enhancements to the Stonebridge compliance model means we’ll continue to receive bespoke tailored support as we continue to grow the number of advisers in our business.”
Rebecca Shuttle, principal and director of MIMA Mortgage & Protection Advice, added: “The Stonebridge compliance model was already positively received by us at MIMA Mortgage and Protection Advice, and these additions and extensions of that service means we’ll receive even more tailored support, based on what we need as a firm today but also with an eye on the future.”