St James’s Place has acquired Tony Wickenden and John Woolley’s support services business Technical Connection for an undisclosed sum.
A key supplier of technical resource to St James’s Place since its inception in 1991, the wealth manager’s bosses claim the deal will strengthens its ability to provide business-focused technical support to partners.
Technical Connection will also play a key role in business development activities, bosses added.
Technical Connection’s online knowledge management platform, Techlink Professional, will also provide the foundation for further “digital evolution” of the wealth manager’s partner support.
Founders and joint managing directors Mr Wickenden and Mr Woolley will remain with the business in that capacity, together with all of their technical staff and consultancy team.
The business will continue to operate from its existing premises in central London and deliver its full range of services and support, including Techlink, to existing adviser and institutional clients.
We will deliver an increased level of technical support for St James’s Place and continue to serve our existing adviser and institutional clients. Tony WickendenDavid Bellamy, chief executive of St James’s Place, said: “Bringing together the experience and innovation of Technical Connection with our existing technical support team creates a very powerful centre of business-focused technical expertise to enhance the support we provide to our partners and advisers in helping clients to navigate their financial decisions.”
Mr Wickenden added that he was looking forward to supporting the evolution of technical support to partners and the wider business.
He said: “Being part of the St James’s Place Group will enable us to significantly grow our team of skilled technicians and expand our regional capability.
“We will deliver an increased level of technical support for St James’s Place and continue to serve our existing adviser and institutional clients through a carefully structured, recruitment plan and by smart deployment of online knowledge-based solutions.”
The purchase of Technical Connections comes just a day after St James’s Place teamed up with Metro Bank to launch an intergenerational mortgage range, specifically for parents and grandparents who wish to support their children or grandchildren in buying a first home.
peter.walker@ft.com
