Unique Financial Planning has bought Watford-based Gerrard Byrne Financial Services, increasing its assets under influence to £800mn.
Gerrard Byrne Financial Services was founded in 1992 by the late John Byrne and provides financial planning, investment and wealth management services for both individuals and corporates.
As part of the deal, Unique Financial will take over the running of GBFS from Byrne’s widow, Caroline Byrne.
The purchase will see the business retain its current office and team of advisers, before being incorporated into the Unique Financial brand in due course.
Unique Financial Planning will see its team expand to more than 30 advisers across six locations in Surrey, Oxfordshire, Hertfordshire, Hampshire and Devon.
Stewart Williams, chief executive officer of Unique Financial, said: "We are honoured to have been charged with looking after the legacy John Byrne worked so hard to build over the last 30 years. The firm’s long-standing bank of clients and talented team speaks for itself.
"This acquisition is a significant development for Unique Financial as it brings us one step closer to achieving our long-term growth ambitions and allows us to expand our footprint into the Hertfordshire region. We look forward to working with our new colleagues to keep driving the business forward and finding new opportunities to enhance our proposition."
Last year, Unique Financial Planning launched a wealth division after merging with a wealth manager.
The Swindon-based financial adviser set up a wealth management arm in a bid to attract more high net worth clients and expand its offering.
The launch came after Unique merged with part of wealth manager Bright Blue Wealth in December 2020.
BBW founder and owner Rhiannon Vallis, along with three BBW advisers, merged with Unique as part of the deal to form ‘Unique Wealth’, based in a new office in Surrey.
sonia.rach@ft.com
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