Seven adviser firms from across England and Wales have joined Clifton Wealth Partnership (CWP) following a successful acquisition and integration process.

The firms include Essex-based Capel Court, Wales-based Financial Solutions Wales and Davies Craddock, Bristol-based Tailormade Financial Services, Nottingham-based Absolute Financial Services, London-based London Private Wealth as well as Clifton Wealth Partnership Portishead. The acquisitions of Capel Court and Financial Solutions Wales are brokered by Gunner & Co.

Based in Colchester, Essex, Capel Court Ltd has been established for over 30 years and is headed up by planners Miles Mann and Matthew Lamas. The firm looks after over 300 family groups.

Financial Solutions Wales was established in 2005 and is run by Jeremy Phelps and looks after 300 family groups, while Davies Craddock also based in Wales has planner Stephen Fry.

Bristol-based Tailormade Financial Services has been running since 2002, headed by Chris Wiggins. The firm looks after over 100 family groups.

Financial planners Adam Fearn and David Ryan have run Nottingham-based Absolute Financial Services Ltd since 2007 and have just under 300 family groups.

Established in 2001, London Private Wealth is based in the UK capital and is responsible for more than 400 family groups. The business is run by planners Thomas Richter, Jake Carr and Rene Lans.

Originally Pure Advanced Financial Planning before becoming an appointed representative (AR) for Clifton Wealth Partnership in early 2024. The business is still run by planners Alison Davis and Adrian James, and the firm looks after over 200 family groups.

The adviser businesses range in size, from one adviser to larger firms. And in each case the business owners are staying on as financial planners or will be working on a consultancy basis for two years to ensure a smooth client handover.

Together, the acquisitions have added £500 AUM and 25 team members to CWP. Clifton Wealth Partnership is a financial planning and wealth management business and is part of the Bristol-based Clifton Group, which has over 12,000 clients, 120 employees and greater than £2.5bn in assets under management.

Since its formation in 1986, Clifton has specialised in developing and implementing innovative financial services, products and technologies. Its continuous investment in market-leading financial technology and in-house expertise helps minimise the well-known challenges of integrating new advice firms.

Anthony Carty, Group Financial Planning Director for Clifton Wealth Partnership, comments: “We’re so pleased to welcome each of these fantastic firms and their teams into the Clifton family. There should be no sugar coating it, any integration and acquisition process requires hard work from everyone involved. That’s why we take great care to really listen to the needs of each individual business first, before putting tailored integration and resource plans in place.

“This process shouldn’t happen overnight and we believe it’s essential for the acquiring firm to have the technology and infrastructure in place to bring the businesses together effectively.

“Clifton’s heritage holds something special. Since the early 90s, the senior leadership team and I have grown the business from the ground up – a journey that I believe resonates with many adviser firms. We understand what it takes to build a firm over the years, which is why ensuring its future is in the safest hands is so important.”

Jeremy Phelps, director of Financial Solutions Wales says: “Since 2019, Financial Solutions Wales has been seeking the right partner to support the next stage of our journey. Having met with around 15 potential acquirers, it was our discussions with Neil Greenaway [managing director] and Anthony Carty that confirmed Clifton Wealth Partnership as the ideal fit. Their commitment to client service closely aligns with our own values, ensuring continuity and excellence for those we advise.

“What truly set Clifton Wealth Partnership apart was their dedication to maintaining a strong local presence in South-West Wales and, most importantly, their commitment to retaining our valued team – something that was rarely a priority for other firms. Their approach reassured us that our clients and staff would be in the best possible hands.

“We are excited about this new chapter and confident that our clients will benefit from the strength, expertise, and client-focused ethos that Clifton Wealth Partnership brings. This partnership marks the beginning of an exciting future, and we look forward to continuing to provide exceptional financial advice under the Clifton umbrella.”

Mark Howell, Compliance Officer at Capel Court says: “We are delighted to be joining Clifton Wealth Partnership following what has been an extensive process in an increasingly competitive market space.

“It was crucial we teamed up with individuals who had the same exacting standards, client ethos and working culture, and we couldn’t be prouder than forging what has become a strong bond and collective vision for the future. We have every confidence our clients and team will continue to grow, deliver and excel in providing first-class services to our clients.”

 

If you are looking to sell your business, find out more about the selling your business to Clifton Wealth Partnership (or others) Gunner & Co. can help you. Book a meeting with our Head of Brokerage Gwill here