Wealth manager St James’s Place has partnered with later-life services platform Air Group.

The move comes as SJP adds to its equity release offering.

Paul Johnson, head of mortgages at SJP, said residential property was playing an increasing role in clients’ retirement plans and making up a larger proportion of many people’s assets.

SJP will provide its advisers with access to equity release sourcing solution Air Sourcing and Air Club which provides advisers with access to products, support and enhanced income deals.

SJP advisers will also be able to access the Air Later Life Academy which provides educational support for advisers on equity release.

Mr Johnson said: “With residential property not only playing an increasing role in retirement but also making up a larger proportion of many peoples assets, we want to offer our clients access to specialist highly-trained advisers.

“Our partnership with Air Group will help to ensure our advisers are at the forefront of market developments, as new plans and product features make equity release and other later life lending options a flexible Financial Planning tool for an increasing number of older clients.”

Stuart Wilson, CEO at Air Group, said the later-life services platform has noticed that equity release and other later life lending options are increasingly becoming a key part of advisers’ tool kits when it comes to retirement planning, estate planning and gifting.

SJP recently joined the Equity Release Council. The wealth manager has offered equity release for over 15 years.