An IFA firm has hosted a regional Financial Planning event to bring “leading financial minds” together to help businesses and individuals.

Issues around inheritance tax and estate planning were the focus of the West Lancs Financial Planning Forum, organised by Acumen Financial Partnership.

About 50 people attended the session at the firm’s new purpose-built offices in Burscough to hear financial experts from across the UK.

Susan Sherry and Katie Austin from Hill Dickinson Solicitors led the talks, explaining how a well-planned will can help reduce inheritance tax liabilities.

Jaclyn King-Gibson from Rathbone Investment Management then spoke about the alternative investment market and business property relief, before Ed Midgley of Isle of Man Assurance discussed the benefits of trusts.

Jon Landy, director of Acumen Financial Partnership, said: “We’re so pleased that the event was so popular and we were able to attract such high profile speakers and guests.

“Our aim with these seminars is to bring leading financial minds to West Lancashire, allowing local people and business owners to reap the benefits.”

Acumen is already in discussions with companies to plan a further event later this year.

Mr Landy said: “Everybody I spoke to was very pleased with the event and asking when we’d be holding the next one, which we hope will be this summer.”