FCA bans incompetent IFA Simon Hughes over British Steel advice

Hughes to pay FSCS £158,000 but lifeboat fund paid out £8.4m to clients

Jenna Brown
clock • 2 min read

Adviser Simon Hughes has been banned by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for "grossly negligent" advice given to British Steel Pension Scheme (BSPS) members.

Hughes, of S&M Hughes, has been banned from advising customers on pension transfers and pension opt-outs, and from holding any senior management function in a regulated firm. The regulator said Hughes would also pay £158,000 to the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS) to contribute to redress due to his customers, the majority being members of the BSPS. The figure is dwarfed by the £8.4m already paid out by the lifeboat fund in compensation to his clients for unsuitable advice. The FCA said Hughes was solely responsible for the pension transfer advice provided by the firm ...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Regulation

Two arrested over suspected £153m TikTok tax scam

Two arrested over suspected £153m TikTok tax scam

Accused of promising financial rewards for personal details

Jen Frost
clock 04 June 2026 • 2 min read
FCA warns Premier League clubs on unauthorised financial firm sponsorship deals

FCA warns Premier League clubs on unauthorised financial firm sponsorship deals

'Questionable deals' could put fans’ cash at risk

Jenna Brown
clock 03 June 2026 • 3 min read
Quilter Invest launches targeted support offering

Quilter Invest launches targeted support offering

Uses an attitudinal-based assessment

Jen Frost
clock 01 June 2026 • 1 min read