MKC Wealth and Bowmore Wealth Group have both announced further acquisitions as consolidation across the UK financial advice sector continues. Together, the transactions add more than £410m of assets under advice and demonstrate the continued appetite among growing firms to expand through carefully selected acquisitions.

MKC Wealth has completed six acquisitions so far this year, while Bowmore Wealth Group has added two firms to strengthen its regional presence and increase scale.  The latest activity highlights the continued importance of succession planning, cultural alignment, and client continuity within the financial planning market.

MKC Wealth completes six acquisitions

MKC Wealth has completed six acquisitions during the year, adding £275m of assets under advice and 507 client households to the business.

The acquired firms include Executive Lifestyle Planning, Medical Investment & Financial Management Ltd, Peartree Wealth Management Ltd, Wealth and Tax Ltd, The IFA Partnership Ltd, and the client bank of adviser Daniel Richards, formerly of Coldrey and Bryant Consultants.

Importantly, four of the six acquisitions resulted from adviser or founder retirements, reflecting the growing role succession planning continues to play across the sector.

Chief executive Dominic Rose said: “Each of these acquisitions reflects what we are about as a business, finding advisers who have spent careers building deep, trusting relationships with their clients, and giving them the confidence to hand those clients over knowing they will be looked after with the same care and dedication.”  He added that client trust remains central to the firm’s acquisition strategy, particularly when founders retire after decades of serving clients.

Succession planning remains a key driver

Rose said: “We have a simple philosophy: our clients trust us to look after their life savings and to plan for their and their family’s future.

“That is a responsibility that everyone at MKC takes enormously seriously. Equally, the business owners and retiring advisers who choose us are trusting us with clients who, in many cases, have become close friends over decades.”

His comments underline a broader trend across the advice market, where many transactions are increasingly driven by retirement and succession planning rather than pure growth objectives.

Bowmore Wealth Group expands through two acquisitions

Bowmore Wealth Group has also completed two acquisitions, purchasing DWA Protector and Rogate Capital.  The transactions add £135m of assets under advice and increase Bowmore’s total assets under advice to approximately £650m.

According to the firm, the acquisitions strengthen its presence in London and across the eastern end of the M4 corridor, supporting its regional growth strategy.  In addition, client manager Daniel Easton will join Bowmore to help ensure continuity of service for clients following completion.

Cultural fit remains central to acquisition strategy

Chief executive Mark Incledon said cultural alignment remains a critical factor when evaluating acquisition opportunities.  He said: “We are highly selective about the businesses we bring into the group and only proceed where there is a strong cultural fit and a shared commitment to delivering high-quality advice.

“These acquisitions strengthen the business while allowing us to maintain the independence and personal service our clients value.”  His comments reflect a growing focus across the sector on integrating firms that share similar values and client service standards.

Consolidation continues across financial advice sector

The latest transactions demonstrate that acquisition activity remains strong across the UK financial planning market. While scale remains important, many buyers are placing increasing emphasis on succession solutions, adviser retention, and preserving client relationships.

Consequently, firms that can demonstrate recurring revenue, strong client loyalty, and cultural compatibility continue to attract interest from acquisitive groups.

What this means for business owners

For owners of financial advice firms, the deals highlight the continued demand for well-established businesses with loyal client bases and strong recurring revenues.

They also reinforce the importance of succession planning. As more advisers approach retirement, identifying the right long-term partner is becoming just as important as achieving the highest valuation.

Businesses that can demonstrate strong client retention, operational stability, and cultural alignment are likely to remain attractive acquisition targets as consolidation continues.

Book a free consultation with Gunner & Co. if you’re considering your long-term options to discuss your business, succession options, and future plans.