The Private Office has acquired fellow Leeds-based financial advice firm HEB Wealth, marking its first acquisition in seven years and adding further scale to its UK financial planning platform. The deal increases assets under management by approximately £100m, taking total client assets to more than £3.1bn.

The transaction highlights continued selective consolidation within the UK financial advice sector, where established firms with strong organic growth histories are now using acquisitions to accelerate scale while maintaining cultural alignment.

The Private Office strengthens UK financial planning platform

The Private Office said HEB Wealth represents a strong cultural and strategic fit, with both firms sharing a long-standing focus on financial planning and client-led service.

HEB Wealth is based in Leeds, close to The Private Office’s headquarters, supporting a smooth integration and operational alignment.

Stuart Phillips, chief executive of The Private Office, said: “Our success in building a highly profitable business organically has put us in a strong position to make selective acquisitions that complement our growth strategy. HEB is a perfect fit, culturally aligned, geographically close and committed to the same principles of client care and financial planning excellence.”

The firm confirmed the acquisition will add approximately £100m in assets under management, taking the group’s total to more than £3.1bn.

HEB Wealth joins The Private Office platform

HEB Wealth will integrate into The Private Office group, with managing director Steve McDermott and director Elaine Merritt joining the wider business to ensure continuity for clients and staff.

McDermott said “We had reached that stage in our business development when we wanted to secure the best long-term future for our valued clients and colleagues. Like many advisory businesses this involves acquisition by a larger organisation.  The key for HEB was to team up with an organisation that would provide a real step change enhancement to the service, support and value that we can offer to our clients and colleagues but not lose the personal and tailored service that our clients have come to expect.”

He added that the deal represented a “goldilocks” solution, describing The Private Office as “big enough to provide all the improvements but focused on client service with that personal touch”.

Selective acquisition strategy continues

The Private Office confirmed it remains committed to organic growth as its core strategy, but will continue to assess acquisitions where there is strong cultural alignment and clear client benefit.

The deal reflects a wider trend in UK financial planning, where established advisory businesses are increasingly combining disciplined organic growth with targeted acquisitions to strengthen scale, capability, and succession options.

What this means for business owners

For owners of financial advice firms, the transaction highlights the importance of cultural alignment, proximity, and client continuity when considering a sale.

It also reinforces how consolidators are prioritising firms that can integrate smoothly while maintaining high standards of client service, particularly where leadership teams remain involved post-transaction.