Good morning and welcome to your Morning Briefing for Tuesday 26 August 2025. To get this in your inbox every morning click here.
Woven Advice launches revenue projection tool for advice firms
Woven Advice has launched a new revenue projection tool designed to help advice firm owners – and potential buyers – model growth and demonstrate value.
The tool, part of Woven’s insight analytics suite, aims to address two pressing needs in the advice market: calculating firm valuations amid ongoing consolidation and supporting advisers with their organic growth strategies.
ValidPath: Values-led succession planning is the future
For many independent financial advisers (IFAs) approaching retirement, succession planning is essential to achieve a positive transition, writes Laura Handy, succession development manager at ValidPath.
Across the industry, more than half of IFAs are expected to retire in the next five years. Therefore, values-led succession planning is essential to support the major generational transition underway – and the future of independent financial advice.
Quote Of The Day
President Trump purported to fire me ‘for cause’ when no cause exists under the law, and he has no authority to do so
– Federal Reserve official Lisa Cook reacts to president Donald Trump’s statement that he will immediately remove her from her position, escalating his battle with the US central bank
Stat Attack
High earners could face paying more than £7,000 in extra income tax if the Chancellor extends the current freeze on tax thresholds until 2030 in the upcoming Budget, according to new analysis from Rathbones Group.
The figures in the table below assume wage growth in line with the Office for Budget Responsibility’s data and forecasts until 2029, and 2% inflation in 2030.
Source: Rathbones Group
In Other News
The Society of Pension Professionals (SPP) has published a paper on neurodiversity as the first instalment of its new Inclusive Futures series.
The Diversity, Equity and Inclusion paper features contributions from Lynn Wassell, chief executive of neurodiversity charity The Donaldson Trust, and Niraj Shah, investment analyst at LCP and SPP member.
Wassell said neuro-inclusion should be seen as a strength rather than a challenge, adding: “A more inclusive pensions sector means a stronger, more adaptable workforce and better service for a diverse population.”
Shah reflected on his own experience in the industry, noting that with the right support, workplaces can enable neurodivergent staff to thrive.
“Creating a workplace culture that supports neurodivergent individuals isn’t just about ticking boxes,” he said.
SPP Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee chair Daniel Gerring said the paper highlighted both ongoing challenges and practical steps employers can take to improve inclusion.
Sylvan Financial Management has appointed Haydn Barlow as a chartered financial planner, strengthening its advisory team as it continues to grow.
Barlow brings over two decades of experience in financial planning, most recently working with clients at Equilibrium Financial Planning in Wilmslow.
His expertise spans retirement planning, wealth preservation and client-centred advice.
His appointment reunites him with Sylvan’s founding directors — Jane Patrick, Ed Painter and Adrian Edwards — having previously worked together at The Roberts Partnership, an independent advice firm.
Adrian Edwards, founding director, said Barlow’s commitment to clients and shared values made him a strong addition to the team.
“He goes to extraordinary lengths for clients,” Edwards said.
Barlow commented: “I’ve known Jane, Ed and Adrian for over a decade and have always admired their principles and ethics.
“Sylvan’s proposition is genuinely unique, and I’m excited to help more people benefit from it.”
UK shop prices rise by most since March 2024, adding to inflation nerves (Reuters)
Trump moves to fire Fed’s Cook, setting up historic legal fight (Bloomberg)
Musk firms sue Apple and OpenAI, alleging they hurt competition (BBC News)
Did You See?
Low economic growth leaves the chancellor with tough tax choices in the next Budget, writes Tony Wickenden, MD of Technical Connection.
In addition, the rising cost of servicing government debt and pressure from higher spending on areas such as the NHS and defence are all contributing to fears that the government’s predicted £9bn of fiscal ‘headroom’ could be wiped out.
To put the challenge in perspective, the UK economy is worth around £3,000bn a year, with a tax-to-GDP ratio of 36.8%, expected to peak at 37.7% in 2027/28.
If Rachel Reeves needs to raise an extra £20bn to cover the Budget shortfall – and possibly more – she has three broad options:
- increase the tax-to-GDP ratio by 0.67% (roughly equivalent to two percentage points on all income tax rates, despite manifesto pledges to the contrary);
- hold tax rates steady but rely on 1.8% additional real growth in GDP to deliver the same revenue; or
- some combination of the two.
Politically, growth is the preferable option. But convincing the OBR is another matter.
