I was going to dedicate this column to a timely look back at 2020 and a look forward to 2021 (see lower down). Then something happened.

The FCA’s comprehensive adviser sector review published this week brought some surprisingly positive news. The number of advisers is on the up after years of plateauing or decline.

Sceptics may have questioned warnings that the soaring cost of Professional Indemnity Insurance would put some advisory firms out of business. They may have to eat their words.

In 1981 two bored but ambitious accountants started a British investment business from a spare room. Today they are billionaires.