Saltus Group has acquired independent Chartered financial planning firm Higgins Fairbairn Advisory (HFA).

The deal is the third acquisition in less than a year for Saltus – in September 2021 the firm acquired Fish Financial and in March 2022 it acquired NSL Wealth. The acquisition will bring staff numbers at Saltus to over 120, and assets under management to £2.3bn. HFA staff will move into Saltus’ four offices in London, Solent, Bournemouth and Farnham.

Gianpaolo Mantini leads the advisory business at Higgins Fairbairn which was spun out from accountancy practice Higgins Fairbairn & Co, he will become a partner at Saltus.

Mantini said: “From our early discussions with Saltus, it was clear that a merger with them would provide a great fit for our business and our clients. We have always embraced technological change, however, to get more out of technology and to deliver a ‘state of the art’ financial advice proposition to our clients. We needed greater flexibility and responsiveness, so we are delighted to have become part of the Saltus Group.”

Managing partner at Saltus, Jon Macintosh, added: “Gianpaolo and the team at HFA are a great fit for Saltus and we are delighted to welcome them on board. Not only do they share our goal-based approach to financial planning – placing the client at the heart of everything they do – but their well-established presence will really complement our financial planning services offering, enabling us to reach far more clients across the UK.”

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What this acquisition means for the buyer

For Saltus Group, the acquisition of Higgins Fairbairn Advisory strengthens its position as a growing national wealth management platform, further expanding both its adviser base and geographic reach. By integrating an established Chartered financial planning firm, Saltus enhances its presence across London and surrounding regions, while adding additional scale to its advisory operations.

The deal also reflects Saltus’s continued strategy of acquiring high-quality firms with strong cultural alignment and a shared client-first approach. The integration of HFA’s team into Saltus offices supports operational consolidation while maintaining continuity for clients through an established advisory team transitioning into the wider group structure.

Overall, the acquisition contributes to Saltus’s ongoing build-out of a unified financial planning platform, increasing capacity and reinforcing its long-term growth strategy across the UK wealth management sector.

What this means for sellers in the sector

For owners of Chartered financial planning and IFA firms, this transaction highlights the continued appetite from consolidator groups for well-established, client-focused advisory businesses. Firms with strong reputations and stable client relationships remain attractive acquisition targets, particularly where they can be integrated into larger platforms.

It also demonstrates how sellers can benefit from joining a national group that offers broader operational infrastructure, technology support, and expanded service capability. For many practice owners, this type of transaction can provide both a pathway to realise business value and an opportunity for continued involvement within a larger organisation.

Market trend context

The UK wealth management sector continues to experience consolidation driven by platform-led growth strategies and the expansion of multi-office advisory groups. A key trend is the acquisition of established Chartered advisory firms to strengthen national coverage and enhance recurring revenue streams.

Groups such as Saltus are increasingly focused on building integrated advice platforms, combining regional offices with centralised investment and planning capabilities. This model enables firms to scale efficiently while maintaining a personalised client service offering, supporting ongoing demand for holistic financial planning solutions.

How Capital & Trust typically supports transactions like this

Capital & Trust acts as a business broker, sourcing and introducing potential acquisition opportunities to firms seeking to expand their presence in the wealth management sector. The firm facilitates introductions between parties and supports early-stage discussions where there is mutual interest in exploring a transaction.

Where appropriate, Capital & Trust may assist in coordinating communication between buyers, sellers, and their appointed professional advisers during initial engagement. Its role is limited to originating and facilitating introductions, while all regulated financial, legal, and technical matters are handled by external advisers appointed by the parties.

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