Benchmark Capital has acquired a 49% stake in West Midlands-based Chartered Financial Planning firm Chartered Independent.

The firm will remain independent of Benchmark but will be able to leverage the Schroders Group subsidiary’s capital and infrastructure support to boost growth.

Chartered Independent is based in Shropshire and Staffordshire with offices in Telford and Stoke-on-Trent.

The firm works with private investors, high net worth individuals and business owners and specialises in wealth management, trust solutions and bespoke investment portfolios.

The Chartered Financial Planning firm is already a member of Benchmark’s advice network.

Gavin Roberts, owner of Chartered Independent, said: “Our partnership with Benchmark is a compelling opportunity for us to further enhance our client proposition through the award-winning tools, knowledge and experience they provide.

“Their investment will enable our growth to accelerate further with the support of a company that truly has our values, and client outcomes, front of mind.”

Benchmark has also completed its 100% acquisition of Milton Keynes-based IFA Advison under the firm’s buy-out programme.

Advison will join Benchmark’s own Financial Planning firm and the founders will remain with the business.

Kevin Minter, managing partner at Advison, said: “Any adviser looking towards their own retirement planning will not be short of offers in the current market. Having built our business over 20 years, we really care about our clients and wanted to ensure a smooth transition when the time was right.

“Finding a partner who felt the same was really important to us and being able to continue looking after our clients by staying in Benchmark’s Financial Planning business, until we’re ready to move on, makes the transition for both us and our clients as smooth as possible.”

The financial details of both deals were not disclosed.

Benchmark said it has a strong pipeline of deals which are due to complete over the next few months.