Standard Life buys IFA Almary Green

Spiralling costs prompt sale

Standard Life's financial planning arm, 1825, has acquired wealth management firm Almary Green for an undisclosed fee.

The move will see the chartered firm, based in Norwich, move from an independent to restricted practice.  Almary Green managing director Carl Lamb (pictured) said: "I have long been concerned about the sustainability of firms as a result of spiralling costs - due mostly to the increasing cost of regulation. "It has become clear to me over the past 12 months that many traditional small- to medium-sized firms will face almost insurmountable challenges if they are to continue to provide affordable advice." Almary Green has 1,900 clients and assets under advice of about £400m. It was f...