Key Takeaways
- • Ares Management's Credit Group invested in Ascot Lloyd, a UK-based independent financial adviser firm, providing capital to support growth strategy and increase acquisition funding capacity to over £100 million ($139.4 million).
- • Ascot Lloyd manages approximately £10 billion in funds under management, serves over 57,000 clients, and operates as one of the UK's largest and fastest-growing independent financial advice firms with comprehensive wealth management and corporate benefit offerings.
- • The investment by Ares follows Nordic Capital's acquisition of Ascot Lloyd (completed October 2022), alongside prior backing from Oaktree Capital Management, positioning the firm for accelerated organic and inorganic growth through acquisitions and technology investment.
- • Ascot Lloyd operates with over 200 qualified advisers and has demonstrated M&A execution capability, including the 2023 acquisition of Portfolio Financial Consultancy and the launch of its own adviser platform in partnership with SS&C technology provider.
- • The financing enables continued execution of Ascot Lloyd's growth strategy focused on client offering expansion, digital development, and increased commitment to sustainable investment options.
Summary
Ascot Lloyd, one of the UK's largest independent financial advice firms, has secured investment from funds managed by Ares Management's Credit Group to support its expansion strategy. The capital injection increases the firm's acquisition capacity to over £100 million ($139.4 million), enabling continued inorganic growth alongside organic expansion initiatives.
Ascot Lloyd operates a comprehensive financial services platform managing approximately £10 billion in funds under management across a client base exceeding 57,000 households and corporate clients. The firm provides integrated financial advice, wealth management, corporate benefit solutions, and tax efficiency strategies. The company operates with over 200 experienced and qualified advisers supported by in-house specialists in tax, trusts, mortgages, and related financial planning disciplines.
The Ares investment follows Nordic Capital's acquisition of Ascot Lloyd in October 2022, with earlier institutional backing from Oaktree Capital Management. This multi-sponsor capital structure reflects confidence in management's execution capability and market opportunity. Under Nordic Capital's ownership, Ascot Lloyd has demonstrated active M&A execution, acquiring Swansea-based IFA firm Portfolio Financial Consultancy in 2023 and launching its own adviser platform with technology partner SS&C in the same year.
Management's growth strategy prioritizes acceleration of the active acquisition pipeline, investment in people and technology infrastructure, and development of client-facing digital offerings. The firm is also increasing commitment to sustainable investment options, reflecting institutional investor demand for ESG-aligned wealth management solutions. With revenues projected at approximately €115 million and a proven track record in both organic and acquisition-driven expansion, Ascot Lloyd is positioned as a consolidation vehicle within the fragmented UK independent financial adviser market.
Ascot Lloyd operates a comprehensive financial services platform managing approximately £10 billion in funds under management across a client base exceeding 57,000 households and corporate clients. The firm provides integrated financial advice, wealth management, corporate benefit solutions, and tax efficiency strategies. The company operates with over 200 experienced and qualified advisers supported by in-house specialists in tax, trusts, mortgages, and related financial planning disciplines.
The Ares investment follows Nordic Capital's acquisition of Ascot Lloyd in October 2022, with earlier institutional backing from Oaktree Capital Management. This multi-sponsor capital structure reflects confidence in management's execution capability and market opportunity. Under Nordic Capital's ownership, Ascot Lloyd has demonstrated active M&A execution, acquiring Swansea-based IFA firm Portfolio Financial Consultancy in 2023 and launching its own adviser platform with technology partner SS&C in the same year.
Management's growth strategy prioritizes acceleration of the active acquisition pipeline, investment in people and technology infrastructure, and development of client-facing digital offerings. The firm is also increasing commitment to sustainable investment options, reflecting institutional investor demand for ESG-aligned wealth management solutions. With revenues projected at approximately €115 million and a proven track record in both organic and acquisition-driven expansion, Ascot Lloyd is positioned as a consolidation vehicle within the fragmented UK independent financial adviser market.
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