TWO Worcestershire firms have announced they are to merge.

Financial Advice Centre Ltd and Sterling Rock have had an informal relationship for years, recommending each others clients - but are now making it official by going under one roof, and being known under one umbrella company, Financial Advice Centre.

Financial Advice Centre, headed up by managing director Piers Mepsted, is an independent financial advisors and wealth managers firm while mortgage advisers, Sterling Rock, are headed up by George Roberts.

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Mr Mepsted and Mr Roberts help clients plan and achieve their financial objectives and have been recommending each other’s services for four years.

Mr Roberts and his team of three advisers joined Financial Advice Centre in their offices at 7 Sansome Place, Worcester, earlier this week.

Mr Mepsted said: "We are a firm of wealth managers and pensions specialists who have always been based in central Worcester.

"We are currently celebrating our 20th anniversary year, so this is an exciting development for us and an exciting time to be announcing it.

"As IFA’s and wealth managers, we focus on pension and investment solutions for clients and have built up a reputation as technical specialists in these areas.

"Our wide variety of clients ranges from younger clients looking to protect their family’s financial future with life assurance and income protection to inheritance tax and legacy planning. What underpins all the advice we give is always taking into consideration the reduction of tax liabilities.

“Being able to offer mortgage advice from an independent firm not tied to any particular provider means our clients can now receive an efficient, cost effective, full service, independent offering under one roof."

Mr Roberts added: "We have worked with Financial Advice Centre for a number of years, so we knew each other professionally.

"My clients have benefitted considerably from help in planning for their future and retirement. Both our businesses work in a similar way too – focussing on building long term relationships with clients - so it feels like a natural and straightforward progression to work even closer and is only beneficial for all our clients."