XPS Pensions Group, the actuarial, consulting and SIPP and SSAS business, is acquiring police pensions specialist Kier Pensions from Kier Business Services for £3.5m in a double deal.

The Embark Group has recruited several new executives in a move to “further strengthen” its capacity for expansion in the UK.

Wealth planner and investment management firm Brown Shipley has appointed a new client director and wealth planning adviser in an expansion of its offering in Manchester.

DB pensions consolidator Clara-Pensions has appointed a new chairman of its corporate board.  

The Financial Conduct Authority has banned former Deutsche Bank trader Christian Bittar from performing any function in relation to any regulated financial activity after he was sentenced to over 5 years in prison and ordered to pay £2.5m in compensation by a court.

A conman involved in a £2.8m boiler room fraud and a £2.4m carbon credit scam has been jailed for 13 years today.

Schroders has taken control of advice firm Benchmark Capital.

Informed Choice, an award-winning firm of Chartered Financial Planners in Surrey, has announced plans to expand the business into Hampshire, with the opening of a new office in Petersfield.

The FCA’s Chris Hewitt went into detail about new rules governing DB transfers at yesterday’s Paraplanners Powwow. 

The FCA has issued a warning about scammers running a clone of Bestinvest, the well known direct investment and SIPPs firm run by Financial Planner and wealth manager Tilney.