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.

Nearly a third of financial advisers (30%) want to sell their firms, according to a survey.

Financial Planning-focused wealth manager Fairstone has boosted its footprint in East Anglia with the acquisition of a Norfolk-based Financial Planning firm.

Bolton-based business advisory platform K3 Capital Group has launched a financial services division built around significant new investments in Pareto Financial Planning and Luna Investment Management.

Expanding Financial Planner Shackleton has acquired South West-based Financial Planning and wealth management group Chetwood, adding £900m in AUM to its assets.

Today the FCA announced it was spearheading a global crackdown on rogue social media influencers. About time many will say.

One of the big Financial Planning stories of the week was the merger announced of two of the more significant players in the wealth management / Financial Planning space: Mattioli Woods and Kingswood.

Financial Planner and wealth manager Saltus has acquired £400m AUM Herts-based Financial Planning firm Delta Financial Management.

Wealth adviser and pensions firm Westerby Group - which recently moved to an employee-ownership model - has acquired specialist pension provider and IFA firm Redswan.

Employee-owned wealth manager and Financial Planner EQ Investors (EQI) is considering significant changes to its ownership which could include sale to a larger business.