Focus Financial Partners subsidiary Connectus Wealth Advisers has acquired Berkshire-based Trident Financial Planning for an undisclosed sum.
US-based Connectus is a “global consortium” of advisers that deliver wealth management advice through “access to expanded services, shared resources and best practices”.
The firm is part of Focus Financial, which is a partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms in the US.
Trident is a financial planning and wealth management firm headquartered in Berkshire, England with a satellite office in East Lothian, Scotland.
Founded in 2010 by Vincent Reeves, Duncan Forbes and Andrew Wagstaff, Trident provides wealth management and financial planning advice to individuals and families throughout the UK.
Global growth
This deal is Connectus’ second in the UK after it bought Watterson Financial Planning in January 2021.
Rajini Kodialam, co-founder and chief operating officer of Focus Financial, said: “We are thrilled to welcome Trident as the second firm to join Connectus in the UK following Connectus’ initial entry into this market earlier this year. Joining Connectus will enable the Trident team to broaden their capabilities and access a consortium of like-minded advisers while they maintain autonomy over their client relationships.
“Connectus’ unique value proposition has allowed us to sustain strong momentum in the UK. By providing advisers with the technology and tools to efficiently deliver an exceptional client experience, while also giving them the resources to achieve substantial operating efficiencies, Connectus remains highly differentiated in the wealth management market globally.”
Trident’s Reeves added: “We are very excited to announce our partnership with Connectus. This is the next step in the evolution of our firm, and we are pleased to be gaining a strategic partner who appreciates our entrepreneurial and client-centric mindset. Similarly, we look forward to gaining access to the collaborative community and resources Connectus offers to support our growth and our long-term succession plan.”
Connectus has been very active in the global financial advice M&A space over the past few weeks as it recently acquired Australia-based Misso Wealth Management and US-based New England Investment & Retirement Group.
