Sussex-based private equity firm Cow Corner Investing has merged two Brighton-based financial advice firms it has acquired into one business with £1.5bn of assets.

Pembroke Financial Services and Antrams Financial Services will unite under the Pembroke Financial Services brand.

The enlarged business will have a team of more 100 people across Sussex – including four Chartered Financial Planners - providing pre-and post-retirement planning, mortgage and investment advice as well as life assurance services.

Meanwhile former Zurich, F&C, SEI and Heartwood Investment Management adviser Mark Rockliffe will join as managing director.

Since 2018, he has managed his own consultancy business, advising the boards of several investment management, Financial Planning and fintech firms.

Mr Rocklife said: “Having known and respected the business for 30 years, I feel privileged to have been given the opportunity to work with the team, and our investment partner, Cow Corner, as we continue to grow the business.

“By remaining client-led and a beacon for value, I believe our clients, and in turn, Pembroke will continue to flourish.”

Keith Relf, founder and managing partner at Pembroke Financial Services said: “I could not be happier that the Pembroke brand will continue under Mark’s stewardship. I’ve known Mark for the best part of 30 years and I know that he, like me, will put the client at the very heart of everything we do.”

Cow Corner acquired Antrams and its discretionary investment manager PIER Financial Investments in July 2021, having invested in Pembroke some time before that.

Both have been working closely together as group companies for more than a year and Antrams began trading as Pembroke Financial Services from 1 April.

The plan is to build on the firm's Pier Portfolios and to offer a broad range of investment solutions across the Pembroke brand.

Pembroke Financial Services has offices based in Shoreham and Haywards Heath as well in Brighton.