A former President of the Institute of Financial Planning has joined the board of a firm bidding to become the UK’s largest independent wealth management business.

Ian Shipway has become a non-executive director of Succession Group.

The company recently bought two advice firms for a total of £4m to further its expansion ambitions.

Mr Shipway said: “I am delighted to be working with Succession Group’s board, driving greater professionalism through planner education and qualification as well as supporting a growing cohort of wealth planners to recognise where the real value lies in the relationship with clients.

“With technological developments enabling increasingly cost effective implementation of client strategies, the opportunities for the professional planner to add value and peace of mind is invaluable and a real service to the consumer”.

He is also a member of the Succession Investment Committee.

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James Stevenson, managing director of Succession Group, said Mr Shipway will be “championing holistic Financial Planning at the highest level”.

He said: “As a former president of the Institute of Financial Planning, Ian’s expertise and experience will be invaluable in refining our compelling wealth planning proposition to fully engage with clients, providing the peace of mind that they can live the life they desire, without the fear of running out of money.

“Succession Group is growing strongly and achieving significant milestones as we continue our journey to creating the UK’s largest privately-owned wealth management business.

“Ian’s appointment further strengthens our capability as we continue to expand our team of wealth planners through acquisition and organic growth to meet the continued demand for high quality wealth planning services from our clients.”