First Wealth acquires Kent-based wealth management firm

Financial planning firm First Wealth has acquired Accumulate Wealth Management (Kent) for an undisclosed sum.

Under the agreement, Accumulate will become part of First Wealth, with succession structured in a way that aims to ensure long-term continuity for clients.

Accumulate director, Geoff Airey, will remain with the company throughout the transition to manage leadership succession.

First Wealth said the merger was “natural”, as both organisations were aligned culturally on the values of wellbeing in wealth, and about using financial planning to achieve lifestyle goals.

Accumulate’s clients have been informed of the acquisition, with First Wealth co-founder, Anthony Villis, and head of private office, Robert Caplan, alongside Airey, to lead the transition.

Pathfinders founder, Brian Hill, acted as the lead adviser to Accumulate and Airey, negotiating the sale terms through to completion.

“We have a huge amount of respect for the incredible work that Geoff and the Accumulate Wealth Management (Kent) team have done for their clients, and their commitment to making financial planning about more than numbers,” said Villis.

“That’s an ethos we’re equally committed to, and we look forward to working collectively to serve our current and new clients.

“Having Geoff and his team on board to guide the succession gives us a strong foundation to build on together.”

Airey added: “Accumulate Wealth Management (Kent) has always been about the people we work with and the people we work alongside.

“Seeing this succession through myself is important to me, and we’re looking forward to delivering it with First Wealth.

“For our clients today, their relationships and financial plans will continue, and I’m sure they will feel as confident as I do about what comes next.”

Specialist financial planning M&A intermediary, Chapters Capital, introduced the two firms and helped bring together the merger.

Chapters Capital founder and managing director, Simon Bourke, commented: “I first met Geoff many years ago, and since reconnecting over two years ago, we have spent a lot of time mapping out the right fit for him, his clients and his team.

“First Wealth’s focus on financial planning and emphasis on the best client outcomes made them the obvious choice in my mind, and I want to extend my congratulations to Geoff, Anthony, and both teams.”

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