OakNorth, the neobank for entrepreneurs, by entrepreneurs,  has completed a tailored loan facility to MRW Group to support its buy-and-build strategy, starting with the acquisition of three IFA businesses.

The transaction brings together Emet Financial Services, founded in 2015, Merlin Wealth Planning, founded in 2018, and Mayfayre Financial Services, founded in 2004, under a newly established and independently owned holding company, MRW Group. James Moyses and Adam Royce, founders of Merlin Wealth Planning, will join MRW Group.

The Group provides independent financial planning, investment, and pensions advice to both individuals and corporates, serving over 1,500 clients with over £150 million of assets under management. The Group currently has offices in Cambridgeshire, Buckinghamshire, and Somerset, with further expansion planned this year.

The combined Group has completed ten acquisitions since 2019 and the loan facility from OakNorth will be used to accelerate its acquisition programme.

Steve Winter, Director of MRW Group, commented: “The merger of Emet, Merlin, and Mayfayre brings together three established firms that share the same client-led values, with a personalised approach built on trust and stability. This funding from OakNorth is an exciting next step in our ambitious and proven buy-and-build strategy. The OakNorth team invested significant time and effort to understand a complex transaction, with an outstanding level of commitment and service that we recognise from our own business.”

Stewart Haworth, Director of Debt Finance at OakNorth, added: “We were delighted to support MRW Group on this transaction – it is a clear demonstration of the breadth and depth of experience we have at OakNorth, and our ability to support businesses with complex transactions. Adam, James, and Steve have almost 70 years of IFA and M&A experience between them, so have a clear understanding of the market dynamics and opportunities. I have no doubt MRW’s buy-and-build strategy will be a huge success, and we look forward to supporting them on future acquisitions.”

 

Gunner & Co. specialise in IFA sales, IFA business sales, retiring IFAs and IFA client bank sales

To discuss the M&A market, exit strategies and how to build value in your business, book a  45 minute confidential phone call with Managing Director Louise Jeffreys here.