The FCA has granted full discretionary fund management permission to Succession Group, the company announced this morning.

Group chief executive Simon Chamberlain said it was the final piece in the jigsaw for being “completely independent of all product providers, fund managers and platform providers”.

He pledged that clients would get an individual life plan, supported by full cashflow forecasting, and delivered on a platform and “in range of funds that are designed specifically for their individual needs”.

The business has also announced a trio of appointments including Chartered Wealth Manager Raj Hallen, who has also joined to oversee the development of the fund management proposition.

The investment expert, DFM specialist and former fund manager is level 6 qualified, has a current Statement of Professional Standing from The CISI and is a Chartered Fellow.

Paul McMahon, founder of Elevate Capital, has joined as a non-executive board member of Succession Advisory Services - the platform and consultancy division of Succession.

He with Aegon to build the Arc platform and has been CEO FNZ.

Mr McMahon said: "Succession’s approach to platform, fund and distribution innovation is outstanding in our industry. As a non-executive director, I recognise the importance of achieving a balance between innovation and prudent risk management and look forward to making a significant contribution to the Succession Advisory Services board.

"The whole business is geared up to achieve Succession’s key milestones, and I am looking forward to supporting Simon and his executive team in meeting the scalability challenges of building out the dynamic platform solution, and expanding the commercial investment solutions, tailored to core markets, that meet the complex needs of high net worth clients”.

Steve Clarke has joined as HR Director and will help to support a “rapid integration of acquired member firms”, as Succession prepares to double staff numbers by 2018. He was formerly Group HR Director at the Lighthouse Group and is a Chartered Fellow of the CIPD.