THE merger of a local financial adviser with an independent financial advice group will create 40 new jobs in Malvern during the next two years.

Morley and Co (Independent Financial Advice Ltd) has merged with a new, rapidly growing financial advice group to create English Mutual Wealth Management Ltd.

English Mutual's head office will be located in Malvern, with regional offices in Worcester and Taunton. New offices are also being planned for London, Birmingham, Oxford, Bristol and Plymouth.

"Our aim has always been to provide a reliable, local source of quality, unbiased advice," said the company's business development director, Alex Morley.

"This has not changed. All the existing Morley & Co team remain but we now have greater resources to enhance and expand the services we provide our clients.

"Our business model allows us to exploit the benefits of size but by operating on a regional basis we are able to still offer the personal face-to-face service that we believe our clients require."