Perspective Financial Group eyeing further growth after takeovers

A financial planning and wealth management firm has its sights on further growth after completing two takeovers.

Perspective Financial Group has bought Whittington Goddard Associates and Copthorne Financial Services.

The deals – which have added around £185 million assets under advice to Perspective’s books – mean the company has bought 11 businesses this year and 89 since its foundation 16 years ago.

And Ian Wilkinson, pictured, Perspective chief executive, expects the firm, which has offices in Newcastle, Darlington, Hexham and Harrogate, North Yorkshire, to announce further agreements in “the coming months”.

He said: “We thank both Richard and Nick for putting their faith in us when deciding on the most suitable acquirer for their businesses.

“Both businesses ticked the boxes in terms of client-centricity, and our flexible deal structures have allowed Richard and Nick to sell on terms that suit them.

“We look forward to a busy final quarter of 2024, and hope to continue to announce further high-quality acquisitions in the coming months.”

Based in Dore, near Sheffield, Whittington Goddard Associates was founded in 2003.

Under the terms of its takeover, its office will now be known as Perspective (Whittington Goddard).

Richard Whittington, co-founder, said: “It was obvious Perspective shared our commitment to providing focused face-to-face advice, and this gave us confidence our clients will be well served long into the future.”

Copthorne Financial Services is based in Egham, Surrey, with its clients now – predominantly – served by Perspective’s existing nearby office in Chesham, Buckinghamshire.

Nick Blackford, director, said: “I wanted to make sure my staff and clients would be looked after when I decided to retire.

“It was important to me to find an acquirer who had the same professionalism, continuous service to clients, culture, ethos and ethics as myself.

“When I met Perspective, they provided me with the confidence they would meet all my criteria.”