NORDIC CAPITAL TO ACQUIRE ASCOT LLOYD
Capital and Trust - April 21, 2022 -
European private equity investor, Nordic Capital has agreed to purchase Ascot Lloyd, one of the UK’s fastest growing independently owned IFA.
Nordic Capital prides itself on creating stronger, sustainable businesses through operational improvement and transformative growth, it has a history of investing in financial services companies and with partnering with Ascot Lloyd’s management team it will support the company’s client offering by further developing its digital growth, increasing its focus on sustainable savings and accelerate organic and inorganic growth.
In 2013 Oaktree Capital Management invested in Ascot Lloyd and then went onto acquire it in 2017. The IFA business has more than 20,000 clients and provides financial planning, wealth management and corporate benefit solutions. Ascot Lloyd currently has £10bn of assets under influence and has over 500 staff and 17 offices spread across the UK. Ares Management Corporation also owns an interest in Ascot Lloyd after providing financing at the start of 2021.
The fee has yet to be disclosed.
CEO of Ascot Lloyd, Nigel Stockton, said: ‘ We found a great partner in Oaktree, and more recently Ares, who helped us build a great business. We are now thrilled about the opportunity to work with Nordic Capital, whose partnership approach will continue to see our people and our culture at the heart of our success.
‘Their investment, supported by deep expertise in financial services, will give us substantial new firepower to accelerate our growth, enabling us to increase the ambition of our acquisition strategy and further invest in people and technology to support our organic growth.’
Federico Alvarez-Demalde, managing director at Oaktree Capital Management, said: ‘In Nordic Capital we are pleased to have found the right partner and investor for the next stage of Ascot Lloyd’s growth. We wish Nigel and the whole team the very best as they continue to develop this fantastic company.’
If you’d like a confidential, obligation-free discussion about selling or acquiring a Wealth Management / Asset Management business, please click here, alternatively contact us on 0207-043-4300 or email us.
What this acquisition means for the buyer
Nordic Capital’s acquisition of Ascot Lloyd represents a major private equity investment into one of the UK’s established and rapidly scaling independent financial advice businesses. Ascot Lloyd already operates at significant scale, with £10bn of assets under influence, over 500 staff, and a nationwide office network. For Nordic Capital, this provides a strong platform in a highly fragmented sector with clear opportunities for continued consolidation and operational enhancement.
The investment is focused on accelerating Ascot Lloyd’s next phase of growth, particularly through digital development, enhanced client proposition, and both organic and acquisitive expansion. Private equity ownership typically brings additional strategic discipline, capital support, and operational expertise, which can help businesses scale more efficiently while investing in technology and infrastructure.
This transaction also reflects a broader strategy of building larger, more institutionalised wealth management platforms in the UK market. By partnering with an experienced management team, Nordic Capital is positioning Ascot Lloyd to strengthen its competitive position against other consolidators and large integrated advice firms.
What this means for sellers in the sector
This deal reinforces the strong appetite from private equity investors for high-quality, scalable financial advice and wealth management businesses. Firms with established client bases, recurring revenue, and proven integration capability are particularly attractive, especially when they can demonstrate a clear platform for further acquisitions.
For business owners, it highlights that exit options are no longer limited to trade buyers alone. Private equity-backed platforms can offer significant capital for growth, alongside structured succession solutions that preserve client service continuity and provide opportunities for management teams to retain involvement in the business.
The transaction also signals continued consolidation pressure across the sector, meaning independent firms may face increasing strategic decisions around scaling, partnering, or exiting as competitive and regulatory demands intensify.
Market trend context
The UK wealth management sector continues to attract strong interest from international private equity investors, driven by recurring revenues, demographic tailwinds, and ongoing market fragmentation. Large-scale consolidators are increasingly being built through “buy-and-build” strategies, combining organic growth with strategic acquisitions.
Digital transformation, regulatory complexity, and the need for operational scale are all accelerating this consolidation trend, with investors focusing on platform businesses capable of integrating multiple firms efficiently while maintaining client service standards.
How Capital & Trust typically supports transactions like this
Capital & Trust works with owners and leadership teams of financial planning and wealth management businesses exploring growth partnerships, succession planning, or sale opportunities. In transactions involving private equity-backed buyers, careful positioning is often required to align growth potential, cultural fit, and long-term strategic objectives.
The firm supports clients in identifying potential opportunities, engaging with suitable counterparties, and navigating transaction processes where continuity of client service, staff retention, and long-term business sustainability are central considerations.
Ready to talk?
If you have seen enough and you know that we are the right team for you, then give us a call on 0207-043-4300 for a free confidential informational discussion or fill in our form.
