Gary Stran, a non-executive director at troubled wealth manager and Financial Planner WH Ireland, has quit the company today (5 November), two months ahead of his planned departure. The company’s chair Simon Moore may also depart early.

The company announced on 9 October that directors Mr Stran and Simon Moore would resign as directors of the company with effect from 9 January (or earlier with agreement of the board).

Mr Stran has now brought his resignation forward to today.

The company has been seeking to wind up the business after falling into financial difficulties in recent times and has been selling, or trying to sell, its key divisions.

The company has not explained today’s departure but says it has launched a search to find replacements for Mr Stran and Mr Moore.

Mr Moore plans to continue to work out his notice until 9 January but may also depart early, the company said today.

In a brief Stock Exchange announcement today the AIM-listed, London-based company said: “The company has now agreed with Garry Stran that he will step down earlier, and accordingly his resignation as a director of the company will now take effect from today.

“The company has commenced a search to recruit a suitable replacement independent non-executive director and Simon Moore continues to work his notice period, with the possibility of his also stepping down earlier if possible. Further updates will be provided as required.

Mr Stran, a former Nationwide senior executive, has many years of experience in financial services, including in M&A. In recent times he has worked extensively in private equity as both a founder, CEO, NED and chairman.

WH Ireland has been struggling to wind up the business in the face of major financial challenges. At the end of October it appointed the Lumin MD John Cusins as a director to bolster its board.

Recently the company lost a shareholder vote to sell the firm’s wealth management division to Oberon Investments for £1m and the deal collapsed. It continues to try to sell the division.

In October WH Ireland said it was currently loss making but has, “sufficient liquidity and regulatory capital” to continue operating.

In its latest full year results WH Ireland reported a pre-tax loss of £1.9m, following a loss of £2.5m the previous year. Revenue slumped from £21.5m in 2024 to £13.2m this year and the statutory loss before tax rose to £9.2m (2024: £6m).