UP TO 40 new financial jobs could be created over the next few years following the merger of two Kent firms.

AFPS, Canterbury, and Jackson Batten of Sidcup, have jointly set up the Aurora Financial Group which becomes one of the UK’s top 40 independent financial adviser (IFA) groups.

The new organisation has 110 staff. Robert Rackliffe, former Jackson Batten managing director and joint chief executive of Aurora, said there would be no staff cuts as a result of the merger.

He said the effect would be quite the opposite with huge opportunities for future growth that would boost staff numbers to around 150 over the next three years.