The former chief executive of an investment firm has become the chairman of a new Financial Planning business and also launched a new company to support small adviser practices.

Eric Clapton, formerly of Wellian Investment Solutions, has established Clapton Consultants. He is also the newly appointed Chairman of Greenstone Financial Planning.

The consultancy will advise small IFA and accounting practices how to grow their businesses by combining financial services skills with their tax and business services.

The firm will deliver guidance to accountants on the practical benefits of specialist designated professional body licensing which will allow them to better collaborate with IFAs in offering financial advice to clients.

Regulatory pressure deters accountants from collaborating with advisers in providing financial advice; however, Clapton Consultants will now offer a series of educational workshops showcasing the potential to achieve significant business growth with the DPB licensing.

The first workshop will be held at The Institute of Chartered Accountants Annual Retirement Summit held at Chartered Accountants Hall Moorgate on Thursday 26th November.

Mr Clapton, a practising chartered accountant, said: “The pension changes have presented professional advisers with either a major challenge or a major opportunity, depending on how they have adapted themselves to the new flexibilities afforded to clients.

“I have launched Clapton Consultants with the aim of helping small accountancy firms and IFAs navigate their way through the challenges in today’s market by expanding and diversifying their offering as much as possible to meet with current demand.”

He said: “Collaboration among professional advisers, given regulatory pressure and current market conditions, is key to achieving sustained business growth.

“With the ability to collaborate and diversify their offering, these firms will be primed to turn existing challenges into fantastic opportunities."

Catherine Greeves, joint founder of Greenstone Financial Planning, said: “We are absolutely delighted that Eric has taken on the role of chairman with Greenstone.

“He has a wealth of experience both in terms of managing successful businesses and working closely with the Regulator and other professionals.

“Eric’s guidance will undoubtedly prove invaluable to us as we continue to develop relationships with accountants and to pursue our vision of building a business which provides insightful and strategic, highly personalised financial advice to clients.”