The Financial Conduct Authority has banned big spending Colette Chiesa and husband Mr John Chiesa from working in financial services for integrity failings after their firm collapsed and they “misled” a trustee about their wealth.

Women find the world of financial services “aggressively masculine” and this factor deters them from seeking financial advice or buying financial products, according to a new report from research firm Kantar.

The ABI has set out a roadmap of steps needed to make the Pension Dashboard proposal work including legislation to require providers and schemes to make their data available.

EQ Investors, the boutique wealth manager and Chartered Financial Planning firm led by industry veteran John Spiers, has recruited Mark Howlett to join as an executive director with responsibility for the advice side of the business.

Financial advisers say they are experiencing an increase in insistent clients disagreeing with their recommendations on defined benefit pension transfers

Aegon is to merge its Aegon Retirement Choices and Cofunds platforms in the coming weeks in a move which will see the Cofunds brand pensioned off.

The People’s Investment Trust, the new investment vehicle created by former Investment Association chief executive Daniel Godferey, has halted its launch plans after fund-raising efforts produced insufficient money to get the project off the ground.

Openwork, one of the UK’s largest financial advice networks with more than 3,500 advisers, has appointed Ian Buchanan and Andy Smart as non-executive board directors.

Chartered Financial Planning firm and wealth manager Clarion Wealth has partnered with a group of business psychologists to explore the stresses and strains faced by clients who sell a business.

Bristol-based Financial Planning firm Brunel Capital Partners, run by Chartered Financial Planner and MD Damien Rylettt, has opened its self-built DFM firm IronBright to other Financial Planning firms.