Standard Life in major advice play with purchase of £1bn-assets Pearson Jones

The provider, which as recently as 2010 owned stakes in two financial advisory brands but sold them to put "clear blue water" between itself as a provider and advisers, said the launch was in response to customer demand brought on by the pension flexibilities announced at Budget 2014. The acquisition of Pearson Jones for an undisclosed sum will bring in assets under advice of £1.1bn as well as a total of 39 advisers and paraplanners. The outfit is currently an independent operation but will become restricted once the takeover is complete.  Standard Life's Steve Murray will lead the...