Smith & Williamson shareholders approve Tilney takeover

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Smith & Williamson shareholders approve Tilney takeover

Tilney's takeover of its rival is one step closer to completion after Smith & Williamson shareholders gave the deal the green light. 

It comes as the merger secured approval from the Financial Conduct Authority last week, after hitting regulatory hurdles earlier this year.

Last month it emerged the proposed takeover was back on the table after Tilney secured more than £250m in funding from a US-based private equity investor.

Chris Woodhouse, chief executive of Tilney, said: "We are delighted that Smith & Williamson shareholders have overwhelmingly voted in favour of the merger and can confirm that all regulatory approvals have now been received.

"This is a significant transaction and getting to this stage in the midst of a global pandemic is a real achievement. We now look forward to completing the deal over the coming weeks and bringing these two great businesses together."

When the deal was first announced last September it was reported Tilney would be paying £625m for its rival, in a deal which would see the combined business manage £44bn in assets and generate an estimated £530m in revenues.  

But the merger required a revised structure when the FCA refused to approve it, and in April Smith & Williamson warned the global coronavirus pandemic had pumped the brakes on the deal. 

The takeover was propelled forward in June when it secured additional backing from private equity firm Warburg Pincus in a move Tilney said would "significantly" reduce external debt for the combined business, lower ongoing financing costs and improve its regulatory capital position. 

rachel.mortimer@ft.com

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