The wealth sector is gripped by merger mania as advisory firms jump into each other’s arms to deal with rising costs and regulatory challenges.

Mergers this spring include Thurleigh with Ingenious; Tilney with Permira's Bestinvest; SandAire with Lord North Street, UK Wealth Management with Ashcourt Rowan, Iveagh's funds division with City Financial and Jupiter's wealth business with Rathbones.