Wren Sterling has added £150mn in assets under management with the purchase of an Oxfordshire-based financial adviser for an undisclosed amount.
As part of the deal, Critchleys Financial Planning, who is led by principal financial planner Jason McGuigan, will become part of Wren Sterling, as well as the firm’s clients who represent 300 households.
This deal is Wren Sterling's second since the secondary management buyout in late 2021 by Lightyear Capital.
In a statement today (July 7), Wren Sterling said the deal is in line with its strategy of acquiring culturally-aligned businesses as hub locations in strategic locations.
As previously reported by FTAdviser, the business has a particular focus on acquiring new hubs in London, the South West, the Midlands and Edinburgh.
Chief executive of Wren Sterling, James Twining, said the time is right for an M&A strategy.
“The UK IFA market encompasses many excellent businesses deciding that now is the time to look for new investors, either to facilitate their own retirement or because they see that their clients stand to benefit significantly from the support of a larger organisation in the face of mounting regulatory, operational and technology costs and complexity,” he said.
“This deal shows that Wren Sterling is the natural home for entrepreneurial businesses looking to enhance how they serve their clients, develop their people and be part of a winning and distinctive team."
McGuigan said it was important for the firm to partner with an organisation that shared its core values of putting the client at the heart of everything
“Thanks to our new partnership, we will be able to strengthen our offering to clients and continue to develop and invest in our people.
“We also have the exciting opportunity to expand the business further through hiring and bolt-on acquisitions in the Oxford and Thames Valley regions.”
sally.hickey@ft.com
