Standard Life launches national advice arm with Pearson Jones buy

Standard Life has bought advice firm Pearson Jones from Skipton Building Society as it moves to capitalise on the demand for pensions advice.

The provider, which as recently as 2010 owned stakes in two financial advisory brands but sold them to put "clear blue water" between itself as a provider and advisers, said the launch was in response to customer demand brought on by the pension flexibilities announced at Budget 2014. The acquisition of Pearson Jones for an undisclosed sum will bring in assets under advice of £1.1bn as well as a total of 39 advisers and paraplanners. Standard Life's Steve Murray will lead the firm's 102 employees as chief executive. The provider said it has bought the business in response to "funda...