SKERRITTS ACQUIRES KENT-BASED FINANCIAL PLANNING FIRM

The Skerritts Group, a leading independent financial advisory and wealth management firm based in Brighton and Hove, is excited to announce the completion of their latest acquisition, Kent-based financial planning firm, Equinox Wealth Limited. This acquisition further extends Skerritts’ presence in Kent and is part of the company’s strategic plans to expand and grow across the South Coast of England.

Skerritts’ growth journey began in March 2021 when Sovereign Capital Partners, a UK Private Equity Buy & Build specialist, made a significant investment of £55 million in the company. This investment provided the support for Skerritts to develop and expand the business through a strategy of organic and acquisitive growth.

Skerritts has been active in making strategic acquisitions and in 2022, the company completed four additional acquisitions with the purchase of Geoffrey Craig Limited, Saffron Wealth Management, Chartered IFA Firm Bradbury Hamilton and Hampshire-based PS Financial Advisers Limited. Together, these acquisitions have added approximately £560 million of assets under management (AUM) to the Skerritts Group.

The acquisition of Equinox Wealth Limited brings an additional £62 million of AUM and marks the fifth deal that Skerritts has completed since the investment from Sovereign Capital Partners.

Richard Skerritt, CEO of Skerritts, said “We are thrilled to welcome Equinox Wealth to the Skerritts Group. Their presence in Kent is a perfect fit for our strategic plans to increase our presence in the South East. Adding a high-quality firm like Equinox Wealth to our team enables us to increase our presence in Kent and adds Conrad and Jen to our great team of people. We very much look forward to working with them.”

Conrad Whittingham, Director of Equinox Wealth, added, “After 15 years of growing a successful business and planning for the next 15 years, we have made the decision that we need to be part of a larger group, with the extra resources and benefits to clients that this can bring. Skerritts has shone through as the perfect like-minded partner for us and will help us to invest in and grow the business going forward, enabling us to offer our clients an even higher level and breadth of service. This is a very exciting time for us and our clients.”

What this acquisition means for the buyer

For Skerritts Group, the acquisition of Equinox Wealth Limited continues its expansion strategy across the South East, strengthening its presence in Kent and further building its regional network. As a private equity-backed wealth management group, Skerritts has been actively pursuing a buy-and-build strategy to increase scale and expand its client base across key UK regions.

The addition of Equinox Wealth brings further assets under management and introduces additional advisory capacity to the wider group. This may support greater regional coverage while allowing the firm to continue delivering financial planning services through a combined platform structure.

Overall, the transaction forms part of Skerritts’ ongoing strategy to grow through selective acquisitions that enhance geographic reach and strengthen its position within the UK independent financial advisory market.

What this means for sellers in the sector

For owners of independent financial planning firms, this transaction highlights continued demand from private equity-backed consolidators targeting regional businesses with established client relationships. Firms with a strong local presence and recurring revenue streams may remain attractive acquisition targets.

The involvement of a buy-and-build investment strategy also reflects how sellers may encounter structured opportunities that focus on integration into larger advisory platforms. For business owners considering exit or succession planning, this type of buyer may offer access to greater operational resources while supporting continuity of client service and adviser relationships.

Market trend context

The UK financial advice sector continues to experience consolidation driven by private equity investment and platform-based growth strategies. Firms are increasingly acquiring smaller regional practices to build scale, expand geographic coverage, and improve operational efficiency.

There is also a continued trend towards regional clustering, particularly in the South East of England, where established advisory firms are being integrated into larger national groups. This reflects broader demand for scalable wealth management platforms capable of supporting both local client relationships and centralised investment infrastructure.

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 wealth management and financial advisory capabilities. 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.

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.