The company said “signatures have been exchanged” to formalise the “amicable separation” announced in January.

The agreement sees the end of a 121-year association between the company and FTSE 250-quoted oil services operation Hunting.

The move rejects options like a stocklisting, a partnership or a management buyout as the way forward for Gibson.

The broker has instead opted for an employee ownership trust structure to share its successes with staff.

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