Total investments managed in the UK grew by 10% during 2019 and were near to pre-pandemic levels by the summer, according to new data from the fund managers’ body the Investment Association.

Regionally, the new SME investment venture chaired by 7IM founder Justin Urquhart Stewart, says Financial Planning firms could be the recipients of new investment via its platform.

Justin Urquhart Stewart, one of the founders of platform 7IM and a well known TV and radio financial commentator familiar onscreen for his red braces, retired recently from 7IM. But instead of hanging up his boots at 65 he has thrown his weight behind a new SME investment start up called Regionally where he is chairman. Financial Planning Today editor Kevin O’Donnell interviewed him via video call about the new business and its plans.

A survey of 1,000 UK investors suggests the majority (58%) believe a recovery from the impact of the Coronavirus pandemic will take “years.”