The number of full-time employees at the Financial Conduct Authority fell by 4% to 3,791 in the 2021/22 financial year.

The Financial Conduct Authority has committed to a crackdown on appointed representatives.

Private equity-owned Harwood Wealth Management has acquired two adviser firms and has rebranded as Argentis Group.

Financial Planning and wealth management firm Evelyn Partners has opened a new office in Brighton.

Four in ten decumulation products bought in 2021 were purchased without professional advice, according to product sales data from the Financial Conduct Authority.

Industry veteran Barry Meeks has joined the board of IFA network ValidPath as an independent non-executive director of parent firm Rimbal.

Financial Planning software and data provider Defaqto is to launch or expand a number of products and services in its research and fintech division to meet growing market demand driven by new FCA regulations, including the new Consumer Duty.

The Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) has appointed James Dipple-Johnstone as its new deputy chief ombudsman.

The High Court has ordered the wind up of an online investment broker which made bogus claims to be regulated before going on to mislead investors.

Adviser platform Transact saw net inflows of £1bn for the quarter ended 30 June as net inflows and assets dropped for the platform year on year.