Manchester-based financial advice firm LCM Family Limited (FRN: 227651) has entered administration after agreeing to a voluntary requirement with the FCA.

The number of Britons aged 85 years and over is set to make up 4.9% of the total UK population by 2049, according to the latest data from the Office for National Statistics.

Net inflows for St James’s Place (SJP) fell 10% to £1.53bn in the first quarter (Q1 2025: £1.69bn).

The Pensions Schemes Bill has completed its journey through Parliament following a compromise being reached on controversial mandation powers.

Over two in five (42%) of award winners from the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) in 2026, a rise from 37% last year.

Private-equity backed MWA Financial has acquired Wiltshire-based Hawthorn Financial Services for an undisclosed amount.

The London-based firm said it has an ongoing ambition to build a national advice and planning business.

In 2021 it acquired Hampshire-based Prosperity Financial Advisors & Stockbrokers as part of its strategy to become a national IFA firm.

The latest acquisition, adds a client base of more 70 families to the group and will see Hawthorn founder Derek Avenell join MWA as an adviser with immediate effect.

Cam Banks, MWA chief executive, said: “Hawthorn Financial Services is a tremendous business with a high-quality, loyal and long-standing client base. We are thrilled to welcome Derek to MWA and are looking forward to what we can achieve together.”

Mr Avenell said: ''I am a big fan of what Cam and the team are doing and how they approaching the advice market in the UK. It is great to be part of the MWA team and able to make the most of all that brings for our clients.''

Following the acquisition, MWA Financial Advice now serves nearly 2,500 clients across several UK locations overseeing approximately £950m of AUA, supported by more than 50 staff.

MWA Financial was founded in 2016 by Mr Banks with the aim of building a leading UK financial advice business centred on holistic planning and long-term client outcomes.

Ed Rosengarten joined as executive chairman in 2021 to help execute the group’s growth strategy. He had previously had senior leadership experience at firms including Smith & Williamson and M&G, where he was chief executive of the firm’s equity business.

The latest deal was completed with the support of Frontier Development Capital (FDC) and Coniston Capital, whose investment in MWA in 2023 provided the long-term growth capital required to support the group’s acquisition strategy.

The Personal Finance Society (PFS) has achieved its target of attracting 500 new joiners to its Pathway to the Profession initiative, its campaign to support students taking their first steps towards their Diploma in Regulated Financial Planning.

NS&I has boosted the rates of its British Savings Bonds to up to 4.5% AER and has launched new issues of one, two, three and five year fixed-rate bonds.

There were surges in lump sum withdrawals from private sector DC pensions in Autumn 2024 and 2025 as savers acted in anticipation of rumoured Budget changes.

The majority, 70%, of Financial Planning firms say that AI will not impact their headcount this year, with only 3% planning to reduce current staffing levels due to AI.