UK independent financial advisor and benefits consultancy Punter Southall Financial Management is to buy UK national IFA firm Opus Consultin...

UK independent financial advisor and benefits consultancy Punter Southall Financial Management is to buy UK national IFA firm Opus Consulting for an undisclosed amount, subject to regulatory approval. Opus employs 60 staff around the UK, including London, Cardiff, Aberdeen, Bolton and Maidstone and is forecasting a turnover of more than £5 million ($9.5 million). Punter employs 85 staff across seven regional offices including a specialist in inheritance tax and trust planning, a new head of private clients and a new business development director. Its forecast turnover for 2006 is £8 million.