Previous roles for Mr Straker included six years as a Financial Planner at Punter Southall, two years as head of Paraplanning at Ellis Bates Financial Advisers and early career roles in compliance.

He has a Diploma in Financial Planning and specialises in Financial Planning, wealth management, retirement and estate planning.

Mr Straker will work with both personal and business clients.

Continuum operates a partnership model, with its Financial Planners retaining ownership of their own business.

Mr Straker said: “I had made the decision to take control over my career – to be independent – because it means a better way of working for me as well as aiming for better results for my clients.”

Martin Brown, managing partner at Continuum, said the addition of Mr Straker to the Continuum team has underpinned the firm’s ambition to strengthen its presence in the North-East, following the recent appoint of another Newcastle-based adviser, Stephanie McClarence.  

He said: “We are extremely pleased to have Stephen join the Continuum team. Our commitment has always been to giving clients the most suitable solutions for the financial challenges they face. Stephen has an approach that is the perfect match for that commitment."

In August fund manager and wealth manager M&G announced it would acquire Continuum for an undisclosed sum. M&G plc will take an initial 49.9% stake in the Plymouth-based company this year with an agreement to acquire the remainder over the following 2 years. The deal is subject to regulatory approval.

Continuum will retain its own brand as part of the M&G Wealth businesses and no redundancies are planned. Launched in 2014 by founding partner Martin Brown, Continuum has more than 60 IFAs and is Financial Planning focused.

Assets under influence at the IFA firm rose 9% year-on-year to £1.53bn for the latest quarter with a 23% rise in ongoing recurring income (year-on-year).