Building a modern financial advice business that creates and preserves wealth for our clients
Company Profile
Morningside Financial was founded in 2022 and is a consolidator in the IFA market. The first acquisition was completed in late 2022. Morningside has since completed three further acquisitions. In each case the acquired companies specialise in the provision of independent pension and investment advice, concentrated in our core geographies of Hertfordshire and Buckinghamshire.
Whilst primarily focussed on organic growth, Morningside continues to look to acquire well run, client focused businesses and client banks, in order to support our growth strategy.
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Completed Deals
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Morningside completed its first business purchase in September 2022 with the 100% acquisition of Oakwood Financial Services, a directly authorised IFA firm based in Buckinghamshire. The company has two advisers, FUM of c£115m and provides advice on pensions, investments, retirement and IHT planning.
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www.oakwood-fs.co.uk
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We are pleased to announce the completion of our second acquisition, having purchased a mid-sized client bank from a retiring adviser in June 2023. The clients have been rolled in to our Oakwood business, and the deal further strengthens our foothold and coverage in Buckinghamshire and Hertfordshire.
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We are pleased to announce that Morningside completed its third acquisition in October 2024 with the purchase of a local pensions and investments client bank. The transaction adds another 110 customer relationships and these clients will be fully integrated with our Oakwood business. Following completion of the transaction we now manage some £200m of FUM. The group has no third-party debt.
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Morningside completed the 100% share purchase of Optimum Solutions in February 2026. Optimum is a directly authorised independent advice firm based in Tring, Hertfordshire. The acquisition of Optimum fully complements Oakwood by offering services in pensions, investments, retirement planning and wealth preservation. The Morningside group now supports some 850 active client relationships, with a combined FUM of c£370m and annual turnover in excess of £2 million.
Morningside was advised by Herrington Carmichael LLP on the purchase of Optimum.
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Values
Listen don’t hear; see don’t look
We want to know what is important to you. We will learn about your objectives and goals - for your company, people and clients.
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Collaborative and transparent
This is a partnership. We will be open, honest, responsive and objective. Compromise and flexibility are not dirty words.
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Shared vision
It is vital that the values and culture of buyer and seller are aligned, and that business owners believe in what we are trying to achieve.
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Expertise
We will bring our knowledge of IFA acquisitions and business growth to the table, and you will do the same in terms of the advice and investments market.
Our Team
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Simon Beart
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Founder and CEO of an electronic security consolidator, recently sold to Phoenix Equity Partners
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CEO of Revenue Assurance Services plc (listed debt services company, £120m m/cap), 1998 – 2008
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Joint-founder and CFO, Britton Group plc (FTSE 350 packaging group), 1991 – 1998
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Qualified as a chartered accountant with PWC, 1984
E-mail: simon@morningsidefinancial.co.uk
Phone: 07710 444370
Robin Hewitt
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20+ years operating in the banking (HBOS and Clydesdale) and IFA markets
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Head of IFA Acquisitions with Benchmark Capital, part of Schroders plc, 2017 - 2020
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Successfully completed 10 IFA acquisitions at Benchmark
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Expert in IFA relationship, risk and transaction management
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Authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority: SMF 3 (Executive Director), SMF 16 (Compliance Oversight) & SMF 17 (Money Laundering Oversight)
E-mail: robin@morningsidefinancial.co.uk
Phone: 07900 605510