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Realising the value you have built

Building a successful business takes years of commitment, hard work and dedication.

Whether you’re considering retirement, succession planning, accelerating future growth or exploring the next chapter for your business, choosing the right long-term home for what you have built is one of the most important decisions you will make.

At Mattioli Woods, we work with business owners, advisers and wealth management firms looking for a trusted partner who will protect their clients, support their people and preserve the values that helped make their business successful.

A successful transaction is about more than completing a deal, it’s about creating confidence in what comes next.

Why Mattioli Woods?

Choosing the right home for your business is about more than agreeing a transaction.

It’s about finding a partner that will look after your clients, support your people and help preserve the legacy you’ve worked hard to create.

For more than 35 years, Mattioli Woods has built its reputation around long-term relationships, exceptional client service and sustainable growth. Today, we combine the strength, scale and resources of a national wealth management business with the culture and client focus that successful independent firms value.

We understand that every business is different. That’s why we work closely with owners to develop solutions that align with their objectives, their people and their clients.

Whether you’re considering succession, retirement or the next phase of growth, our aim is simple: to help create a positive future for your business, your clients and your colleagues.

Because the best partnerships combine the strengths of both businesses to create something even stronger together.

Every business has its own story, culture and client relationships. Our role is not simply to complete transactions; it’s to help business owners find the right long-term home for what they have built and create positive outcomes for clients, colleagues and shareholders alike.

Akshman Ori

Managing Director of Mergers & Acquisitions

Three ways we work with business owners and advisers

Retiring advisers and succession solutions

For many advisers, the greatest asset they’ve built is the trust of their clients.

Over years, and often decades, they’ve developed long-standing relationships, guided clients through important financial decisions and created a valuable recurring revenue business.

When the time comes to retire, the challenge is often twofold: ensuring clients continue to receive high-quality advice while also realising fair value for the business that has been built.

We work with retiring advisers looking to transition client relationships into a long-term home where clients continue to receive personalised financial planning and ongoing support.

Our succession solutions are designed to provide continuity for clients, create a smooth transition for advisers and deliver a fair outcome that recognises the value of the relationships they’ve spent years developing.

Succession planning is about more than stepping away, it’s about protecting your legacy while realising the value you’ve created.

Regional wealth management firms

We actively partner with established regional firms seeking the benefits of being part of a larger organisation while retaining the qualities that made them successful.

For many firms, joining Mattioli Woods provides access to the scale, resources and expertise required to accelerate future growth. This includes the strength of a national brand, extensive technical and operational support, centralised investment solutions, marketing and business development expertise, ongoing investment in technology and infrastructure, succession planning support and access to a broader range of specialist services.

Importantly, becoming part of Mattioli Woods isn’t about losing what makes a business successful, it’s about providing the support, investment and opportunities needed to help that success continue into the future.

Growth is often easier when you have the right partner alongside you.

Strategic acquisition opportunities

We also consider larger acquisition opportunities where there is strong cultural alignment, a high-quality client proposition and a clear opportunity to create long-term value together.

Our focus is always on businesses that place clients at the centre of their proposition and share our commitment to delivering high-quality advice and service.

Successful acquisitions are built on more than financial metrics, they’re built on shared values and a shared vision for the future.

Many of the firms we speak to have built exceptional businesses with strong client relationships and talented teams. They’re not looking to lose what makes them successful. They’re looking for the scale, resources and support that will help them continue to grow while preserving the culture and values that matter most.

Tom Maddison

Mergers and Acquisitions Director, Mattioli Woods

What we look for

While every opportunity is assessed on its own merits, we’re typically attracted to businesses that have built strong client relationships, high levels of retention and a significant proportion of recurring revenue.

We look for firms with a clear advice proposition, an ongoing service model and a commitment to delivering consistently high-quality client outcomes. In many cases, this includes businesses serving clients with more complex financial planning needs, often reflected in average household assets of £250,000 or more and long-standing advice relationships.

Equally important are strong governance and compliance standards, a client-first culture and a management team committed to delivering sustainable growth. We value businesses that place clients at the centre of their proposition and share our belief in the importance of long-term relationships, trust and professional advice.

No two businesses are the same and we recognise that every opportunity brings its own strengths, opportunities and circumstances. Our approach is therefore pragmatic, collaborative and focused on understanding what makes each business successful, rather than applying a rigid set of criteria.

The most successful partnerships are built on more than financial metrics alone, they’re built on shared values, cultural alignment and a common commitment to delivering outstanding client outcomes.

A proven acquisition track record

Growth through acquisition has been an important part of the Mattioli Woods story for more than two decades.

Since 2005, we have invested more than £250 million acquiring wealth management businesses and client portfolios across the UK, successfully completing over 40 transactions. Throughout that journey our focus has remained consistent: protecting client relationships, supporting colleagues and preserving the qualities that made those businesses successful in the first place.

Our experience spans a broad range of transactions, from adviser succession solutions and client bank acquisitions through to larger strategic acquisitions. More recently, this has included businesses such as Kingswood Wealth Management, Cullen Wealth, Ludlow Wealth Management and Doherty Pension & Investment Consultancy, helping create one of the UK’s leading wealth management businesses.

We understand that selling a business is both a commercial and personal decision. Our objective is to create a process that is transparent, collaborative and focused on achieving positive outcomes for clients, colleagues and shareholders alike.

Experience matters when navigating one of the most important decisions a business owner will make.

Thinking about your options?

You don't need to be actively pursuing a transaction to start a conversation. Many business owners and advisers engage with us several years before any sale, succession event or retirement. Early discussions can help clarify options, identify opportunities and ensure you’re well positioned when the time is right.

Speak to our team

Protecting what matters most

For many business owners and advisers, the most important considerations are not solely financial.

They’re often the questions that sit behind every conversation about succession, retirement or a future sale.

What happens to my clients? What happens to my colleagues? Will the culture survive? Will the business continue to grow?

These are questions we understand because they sit at the heart of every successful transition.

Our acquisition philosophy is built around protecting client relationships, supporting colleagues and preserving the qualities that made businesses successful in the first place. We recognise that the value of a business is not simply found in its assets, revenue or profitability. It’s found in the trust that has been built with clients, the commitment of its people and the reputation established over many years.

Value is not just measured in assets and revenue, it’s also measured in trust.

How do I know if my business might be suitable for Mattioli Woods?

Every opportunity is different and we assess each business on its own merits.

In general, we look for firms that have strong client relationships, a high proportion of recurring revenue, a clear service proposition and a commitment to delivering good client outcomes.

The best way to find out is through an initial confidential conversation.

I’m not ready to sell yet, can we still talk?

Absolutely. Many of the most successful transactions begin several years before any formal sale process takes place.

Early discussions can help business owners understand their options, plan for succession and identify steps that may enhance the future value and attractiveness of their business.

What happens to my clients?

Protecting client relationships is one of our highest priorities.

We work closely with business owners and advisers to ensure clients experience a smooth transition and continue to receive high-quality advice and service.

For many sellers, knowing their clients will be looked after is one of the most important aspects of any transaction.

What happens to my team?

We recognise that people are often central to the success of a business.

Where appropriate, we aim to retain talented colleagues and provide access to the wider opportunities, resources and support available within Mattioli Woods.

Every transaction is different, but our objective is always to treat people fairly and with respect throughout the process.

Can I stay involved after a transaction?

Yes. Many business owners and advisers choose to remain involved for a period of time following a transaction to support clients, colleagues and a smooth transition.

The level of ongoing involvement will depend on individual circumstances and objectives.

How is the value of my business determined?

Valuation will depend on a range of factors, including the quality of client relationships, recurring revenue, profitability, growth prospects, adviser profile and the overall structure of the business.

We take a pragmatic and transparent approach to discussions and seek to create solutions that work for all parties.

How confidential is the process?

Confidentiality is fundamental.

We understand the sensitivity surrounding succession planning, retirement and potential business sales.

Initial discussions are handled discreetly and confidentially, allowing business owners and advisers to explore their options without commitment or disruption to their business.

What if I only want to transition my client bank?

We regularly work with retiring advisers who wish to transition client relationships rather than sell a larger business.

Our succession solutions are designed to help create continuity for clients while providing advisers with a clear pathway towards retirement and deauthorisation where appropriate.

Speak to the team

Whether you’re considering retirement, succession planning, a future sale or simply exploring the options available to you, we would be delighted to have a confidential conversation.

Every business is different. Every owner has their own objectives, priorities and ambitions for the future.

Our role is to understand what matters most to you and help create a solution that supports your clients, your colleagues and the legacy you have worked hard to build.

There is no obligation and no expectation of an immediate transaction. In fact, many of the most successful outcomes begin with an informal conversation long before any decision is made.

If you would like to discuss your plans, explore your options or gain a better understanding of what the future could look like, our Mergers & Acquisitions team would be pleased to hear from you.

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