Clifton Wealth Partnership (CWP) has expanded its presence in South Wales after acquiring Banyard Independent Advice Services and Wilcox Financial Planning. The acquisitions continue the firm’s growth strategy and add further scale to its financial planning business.

The latest Clifton Wealth Partnership acquisitions bring £68m in assets under management and more than 300 clients into the business. They also highlight the importance of succession planning, client continuity and cultural fit when advisers choose an acquisition partner.

Clifton Wealth Partnership acquisitions strengthen South Wales presence

The acquisition of Banyard Independent Advice Services and Wilcox Financial Planning marks CWP’s sixth and seventh acquisitions of 2026. Together, the two firms add approximately £68m in assets under management.

The acquisitions also increase the scale of Clifton Asset Management, of which CWP is a part. The wider business now manages more than £4bn in assets under management.

Anthony Carty, Managing Director of Clifton Wealth Partnership, said both firms completed their own due diligence before making a decision. He explained that they spoke to advisers who had already joined CWP to understand their experience.

Carty said this level of due diligence was just as important to Clifton Wealth Partnership. He added that the business looked forward to supporting both teams, their clients and its continued growth across South Wales.

Acquisition details

Mark and Jane Banyard established Banyard Independent Advice Services in 2016 after careers in financial services. The Pembrokeshire-based firm advises around 80 clients and manages approximately £22m in assets under management.

Following the acquisition, Mark and Jane Banyard will stay with Clifton Wealth Partnership during a handover period before retiring. Mark Banyard said the decision centred on making sure clients would continue to receive a high level of service. Positive feedback from firms that had already joined CWP also gave them confidence.

Gerwyn Wilcox founded Wilcox Financial Planning in Talbot Green in 2015. He began his career in the insurance industry at the age of 19. Today, the business advises around 250 clients and manages approximately £46m in assets under management.

Wilcox will remain with Clifton Wealth Partnership as a consultant for two years to support the transition. His paraplanner, the firm’s only other employee, will also join CWP on a full-time basis.

Strategic rationale

Both business owners placed significant importance on the experience of advisers who had already joined Clifton Wealth Partnership. Speaking to those advisers helped them understand how the acquisition process worked and what their clients could expect after completion.

Wilcox also said CWP’s existing presence in South Wales influenced his decision. He believed the business would continue to look after his clients properly and maintain the quality of service they had come to expect.

The acquisitions reflect Clifton Wealth Partnership’s continued investment in regional growth. They also show the firm’s focus on supporting advisers and their clients throughout the transition process.

What this means for business owners

This transaction demonstrates that succession planning involves much more than agreeing commercial terms. Business owners also want confidence that their clients will continue to receive excellent service and that the acquiring firm will support a smooth transition.

Positive experiences shared by advisers who have already completed a sale can also play an important role. For many owners, those conversations provide reassurance before making a long-term decision.

If you’re considering succession planning or would like to understand how buyers may view your business, click here to book a free confidential consultation and discuss your options.