One Four Nine acquires firm in Scotland, continuing comprehensive growth plans
- The independent financial advice and fund management firm One Four Nine Group has acquired Glasgow-based Chartered Financial Planning firm APC Financial Solutions & Consultancy Services
- Announcement is the Group’s fourth acquisition since launching in October 2021, and its first move into Scotland
- Further acquisitions expected across the UK in 2022 following the Group having recently secured significant additional follow-on funding from Copper Street Capital
The nationwide independent financial advice and fund management firm One Four Nine has completed its fourth acquisition with the purchase of Glasgow-based APC Financial Solutions & Consultancy Services. The move expands the Group’s footprint into Scotland, increasing AUM to approximately £650 million across almost 2,000 clients and brings staff numbers to over 50.
The APC Financial Solutions & Consultancy Services team offer comprehensive financial planning services across the investment and protection space. The firm, led by an all-female team, belongs to a small group of Scottish firms that have earned the prestigious title of ‘Chartered Financial Planners’ from the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII).
This latest transaction signals the strong momentum One Four Nine has built over the last 9 months, having attracted a significant network of adviser firms interested in the Group’s comprehensive and supportive business infrastructure. As a discerning acquirer, One Four Nine’s growth plans show no sign of slowing with the leadership team securing an additional tranche of equity funding from investors, through Copper Street Capital, to further facilitate their ambitious plans for scaling up and building a nationwide footprint.
Gabrielle Beaumont, Managing Director, commented: “I am personally delighted to welcome Angela, Lynne and their colleagues at APC to One Four Nine Group. As we moved through the acquisition process it became very clear that the team have built a highly impressive business and I am looking forward to exploring the ways we can collaborate to deliver an even better client experience. The quality of their leadership team, high value clients and introducers made them an excellent fit, aligned with One Four Nine’s values and long-term aspirations for the growth of the business.”
Matthew Bugden, Chief Executive Officer, commented: “It is hugely satisfying to see our acquisition programme continue apace especially with the high calibre of firms and advisers, such as the APC team, wishing to join our colleagues. Impetus for our expansion has been building since launch given our strong relationships across the financial advice sector resulting in a healthy pipeline of inbound queries from advisers attracted by our unique offering. With such a rich and diverse talent pool within the adviser market, I am confident that our numbers will continue to increase significantly by the end of the year and I would be delighted to hear personally from those advisers and firms who are looking at their own succession plans, to see where One Four Nine can help them.
I anticipate the market hearing more from us in the coming weeks and months as we continue to deliver on our strategic plans.”
One Four Nine Group is building an independent, nationwide business primarily acquiring and partnering with financial advice businesses currently owned or closely aligned with accountancy practices and other professional services firms in addition to standalone advisory firms that reflect the collaborative, innovative and professional values of the Group. This includes advisers experienced in recommending tax efficient alternative investments or those looking to access this part of the advice spectrum who may not have had the infrastructure, research capability or confidence to do so previously.
