Analysts and market commentators have flagged several “execution risks” associated with a potential tie-up between FTSE 100-listed asset manager abrdn and Interactive Investor, with some concerned that one of the UK's largest retail platforms could lose its independence and fall victim to “creeping bureaucracy”.

A potential acquisition of Interactive Investor by abrdn, estimated to be worth around £1.5bn, has been lauded by market commentators as a smart move by Stephen Bird, the former Citigroup executive who took over as chief executive of the Edinburgh-headquartered asset manager last September, and has vowed to take the business in a new direction.