Seven UK adviser firms have joined Clifton Wealth Partnership (CWP) following an acquisition and integration process.
CWP said today (10 March) its team had been working with each of the adviser businesses for different periods of time in the lead up to the final acquisitions, extending from eight months to several years, based on the firm’s individual needs.
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.
The seven firms are Capel Court, Financial Solutions Wales, Davies Craddock, Tailormade Financial Services, Absolute Financial Services, London Private Wealth and Clifton Wealth Partnership Portishead.
Based in Colchester, Essex, Capel Court Ltd has been established for over 30 years and is headed up by planners Miles Moseley and Matthew Lammas. The firm looks after over 300 family groups.
Based in Llanelli, Wales, Financial Solutions Wales was established in 2005 and is run by Jeremy Phelps. The firm looks after 300 family groups.
Davies Craddock Ltd Also based in Llanelli, Wales, financial planner Stephen Fry has worked in financial services for 34 years.
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 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.
Together, the acquisitions have added £500m 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.
Anthony Carty, managing director, Clifton Wealth Partnership, said: “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 said: “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, (Chief Executive Officer) 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.”
Adam Fearn, Partner at Absolute Financial Services added: “We spent a considerable amount of time understanding the potential purchasers in the market and Clifton stood out because they are closely aligned to our views of how clients really are the central pillar of our profession and how best to provide for their needs in the future. We are impressed with their forward-thinking approach and use of technology to enhance the service proposition.”
Mark Howell, Compliance Officer at Capel Court said: “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.”
David Craddock, Partner at Davies Craddock said: “Nigel [Davies – partner at Davies Craddock] and myself have been looking after the needs of our clients for over 45 years, many of whom we were in school with, many others have become personal friends, so having to pass these clients on to another firm requires great faith in that firm’s abilities, knowledge and their personalities.
“When we realised that Jeremy and Tom [of Financial Solution Wales] would be able to take over, we were so relived especially as Jeremy’s father Keith has been another close friend of ours throughout our business lives. It is important that our clients can still attend offices in Llanelli to receive face to face meetings, a service that they have always received from Davies Craddock.
“This unique arrangement whereby Clifton have purchased both Davies Craddock and Financial Solutions Wales Limited allows us to give our clients a solid, reliable future knowing their investments are being handled by experts.
Rene Lans, wealth manager and managing partner at London Private Wealth said: “In our search for a partner to strengthen our client service and offerings, we found a great fit in Clifton. With shared values and a strong commitment to our clients, we’re confident that together, we can grow, innovate, and continually enhance the service we provide.”
Chris Wiggins, owner and managing director of Tailormade Financial Services said: “Selling the business after 20+ years was one of the hardest decisions I had to make. I have always put our clients at the forefront of everything I do. I talked to numerous acquirers of all shapes and sizes but in Clifton Wealth Partnership I found a firm that adopted the same client centric ethics and ethos – where just doing the right job is so important. It took many months to find the right firm but I feel confident that I have made the right choice for myself and my clients.”
