Wimbledon-based Chartered Financial Planning firm Holborn Financial has acquired the business of retiring IFA Gary Cook, principal of Gary Cook Financial Services of Maidstone, Kent.

The deal is for an undisclosed sum and is the second for expanding Holborn this month.

Gary Cook Financial Services works with 40 families and has approximately £10m in AUM.

The acquisition will help Holborn expand its presence in Kent after a deal in May 2021 to buy Nigel Field Financial Services of Maidstone, Kent.

Holborn Financial was founded in 1988 by Emyr Blease and specialises in advising business owners, self-employed professionals, and retirement planning. It has made a number of acquisitions in recent years, many of retiring principals.

In September 2021 a majority stake in Holborn Financial was acquired by South African IFA firm Alpha Wealth. 

AlphaWealth is a South African investment and advisory business that offers financial services to high-net worth and family office clients. It has offices in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban, London, Geneva and Mauritius. AlphaWealth was founded in 2005 and manages global assets of over £550m.

Mr Cook said: "I undertook much research and interviewed a number of would-be buyers of the business which I had built up over the years. After much consideration, I agreed terms with Holborn Financial. It is a larger family-based, independent Chartered Financial Planning firm, with greater resources and an existing presence in Maidstone.

"I am extremely confident that my former clients will build successful relationships and receive a comprehensive and trustworthy service from a team of highly qualified, young and experienced advisers, that prides itself on a personal service tailored to clients' requirements."    

Emyr Blease, MD and founder of Holborn Financial, said: “Our aim is to expand in a measured and cautious way. We are keen to acquire the businesses of IFAs who are planning to retire.

“Many IFAs started their careers in the corporate world, working for banks, large investment, life and pension firms, before deciding to set up on their own. That is the path I took. I understand how these entrepreneurs, unfettered by corporate life, found the freedom to build businesses based on the highest possible standards of service, leading to lasting relationships with clients.”