Under-fire Hargreaves Lansdown (HL) chair Deanna Oppenheimer has unexpectedly announced today that she will step down from the role and will be replaced by Alison Platt, a former chair of L&G Financial Advice and former CEO of advice network Countrywide.

Investment provider Hargreaves Lansdown said today that no decision has been taken on whether under fire chair Deanna Oppenheimer will step down early, despite media reports suggesting she will leave soon.

Platform and wealth manager Hargreaves Lansdown is to consult with shareholders after a revolt against board re-elections saw over 30% vote against the re-election of chair Deanna Oppenheimer.

Tesco and AXA Group director Deanna Oppenheimer is to become the next chair of Bristol-based investment provider Hargreaves Lansdown from 7 February and will join the board as a director straightaway.