Two of the world’s biggest financial businesses are to combine with Aon buying rival Willis Towers Watson for £23bn.

The Financial Planning Standards Board, the international Certified Financial Planner standards body, is aiming to have 250,000 CFP holders by 2025 - an increase of 62,000 over the next five years.

SimplyBiz, a provider of compliance and business services to financial advisers, has reported 2019 group revenue up by 24% to £62.8m following the “successful” acquisition of data and ratings provider Defaqto.

Standard Life Aberdeen reported adjusted pre-tax profit for 2019 of £584m, down 10% due mainly to lower revenues.

Wealth manager and Financial Planner Sanlam UK has made two senior appointments at its Harrogate office and plans to expand the hub further.

Chartered Financial Planner Greg Harris of Unividual was recently faced with a challenging case when clients turned to him after facing a hefty CGT bill following an unexpected windfall inheritance.

New Chancellor Rishi Sunak is due to deliver his first Budget at just after 12.30 pm today in the House of Commons.

Fund manager M&G is to cut staff numbers by 10% following a fall in pre-tax profits from £1.62bn to £1.149bn.

Data and ratings provider Defaqto says its annual review of pension provider service has found a greater level of satisfaction among advisers.

The Bank of England’s Monetary Policy Committee voted unanimously today to cut the bank base rate from 0.75% to 0.25%.