A trial has been arranged in the criminal proceedings brought by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) against the former WealthTek LLP principal partner, John Dance.

The trial is scheduled to begin in September 2027 at Southwark Crown Court.

Dance was charged last December with alleged misappropriation of £64m of customer funds between 2014 and 2023 while at WealthTek.

At a plea and trial preparation hearing yesterday at Southwark Crown Court, Dance pleaded not guilty to three counts of fraud by abuse of position and three counts of fraud by false representation.

Separately, following an application by the FCA and consented to by Dance, the High Court has ordered the civil proceedings brought by the FCA in April 2023 to remain paused until the conclusion of the criminal proceedings or until further order by the Court.

WealthTek was formerly regulated by the FCA between January 2020 and April 2023 before the regulator ordered the firm to cease operations and appoint special administrators.

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