The Morning Briefing: Rare double for Weatherbys head of financial planning; Market volatility should be a wake-up call
Weatherbys Nathan Valbonesi has won a top industry award after completing the two highest qualifications possible in financial planning and wealth management.
Valbonesi is one of only a very small number to have achieved the Level-7 postgraduate professional awards administered by the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI).
There are just 1,064 holders of the certified financial planner certificate, and 3,110 CISI chartered wealth managers. Very few hold both qualifications.
Just over two months ago, we all watched as the US tariff announcement sparked volatility in the global stock market, writes Brian Byrnes, head of personal finance at Moneybox.
Across the industry, providers and advisers got a front-row seat to consumers reacting to uncertainty.
A timely reminder, after a couple of relatively calm years, that volatility can hit investment markets and, therefore, consumer confidence can be shaken quickly.
Financial advisers understand the importance of retirement planning better than most. So when it comes to their own future, many want more control over their pensions through self-investment.
Self-invested personal pensions (Sipps) may seem the obvious route.
But as the market has matured and become more tightly regulated — favouring standardised investments over more esoteric choices — finance professionals running their own businesses may find that small self-administered schemes (SSASs) offer a better fit.
It will be economic suicide for them. And we retain options to deal with that, but other countries should be looking at that as well
– US Secretary of State Marco Rubio calls on China to prevent Iran from closing the Strait of Hormuz following the US attack on Iranian nuclear sites
“More than half of savers have fallen into the current account trap, leaving at least some of their savings in a current account,” says Sarah Coles, head of personal finance at Hargreaves Lansdown.
“While keeping your cash to hand may seem like an easy option, a combination of inflation and sticky fingers can seriously dent your financial resilience.”
A survey of 2,000 people by Opinium for Hargreaves Lansdown in April 2025 revealed the following:
of savers keep at least some of their savings in a current account – rising to 58% of men and 67% of 18-34-year-olds.
of higher-rate taxpayers and 83% of investors save in their current account.
of savers say they keep money in a current account to have it handy for emergencies.
say switching isn’t worth the hassle; 14% prefer keeping money in one place and 13% haven’t got around to switching.
of current account savers say they’ve never thought about alternatives.
is currently held in accounts earning no interest – up by about a fifth in a year.
is the average amount held in current accounts, rising to £10,180 for the highest earners.
is what the average saver loses in spending power after one year at 3.5% inflation – or £344 for higher earners.
Source: Opinium
Suttons Independent Financial Advisors has acquired Bolton-based Whitewell Financial Planning in a move that expands its presence across the North West. The Sale-based firm did not disclose the value of the deal.
Whitewell, founded in 2008 by chartered financial planner Phil O’Connor, has around £40m in client assets under management. O’Connor will remain as the main point of contact for clients and will continue working closely with Suttons.
Suttons, established in 2006, manages £240m in client assets and offers a broad range of financial planning and wealth management services. Revenues are expected to hit a record £3.3m this financial year.
The Whitewell deal marks the firm’s third acquisition. Managing director Ben Preston said Suttons would continue to seek suitable acquisitions as part of its growth strategy.
Law firms Bermans and Schofield Sweeney advised on the transaction, which was brokered by Pathfinders’ Brian Hill.
Congress weighs multibillion-dollar tax cut for private credit investors (Financial Times)
‘Just reach out to us’: the Nationwide team helping vulnerable customers (Guardian)
Goldman names Aek Shyam head of M&A in global real estate group (Reuters)
Did You See?
The five-day working week has been common practice for over 90 years, writes Amanda Newman Smith.
For the past 60 of those, however, there have been calls to reduce it to four days.
Today, technological change and the shift towards more flexible working patterns have made this a real possibility.
In the financial advice sector, there are firms that have already implemented a shorter working week, and some commentators believe this will become the norm.
“In my mind it’s when, not if, we get to the four-day week,” says FTRC founder Ian McKenna.
“Covid was a huge catalyst.”
With various potential approaches, however, the challenge for firms is finding the right one for their business, employees and clients.
