Clifton Wealth Partnership has acquired Essex-based Financial Planning firm Cutting & Carter for an undisclosed sum.
The deal brings 500 clients and £60m in assets under management to Clifton in its third acquisition so far this year.
Maldon-based Cutting & Carter provides financial advice for individual and families across Essex.
The firm’s two directors, Steve Carter and Gary Smith, will remain involved in the business for two years to oversee the transition and maintain continuity for clients.
Both directors were looking to exit due to looking to retire.
Gary Smith said: “This has been a long and detailed process, and it has not happened overnight. We took time to understand Clifton and how they operate. They have been professional, friendly and hard-working throughout. We are confident our clients will be in capable hands with the new team.”
Clifton Wealth Partnership is a Financial Planning and wealth management business and is part of the Bristol-based Clifton Group, which has more than 15,000 clients, 180 employees and £3.55bn in assets under management.
Anthony Carty, managing director at Clifton Wealth Partnership, said: “We recognise that selling a business built over decades is a significant decision. Our role is to provide reassurance and structure, so that clients continue to receive consistent advice and service.”
In recent times Clifton has been very busy on the acquisitional trail. In February it acquired two Scottish Financial Planning firms, bringing £150m in assets.
In December it acquired Welsh Financial Planning firm Lifestyle Financial Advice for an undisclosed amount.
It was the tenth advice business to join Clifton Wealth in 2025. It completed the acquisitions of nine other financial planning businesses from across England and Wales over the year, adding £721m AUM and 26 team members during 2025.
In September it acquired West Yorkshire-based Grovebridge Financial Ltd and Bristol-based Clifton Business Consultancy to add £146m in assets.
In October 2024 UK private equity firm CBPE Capital LLP made a “strategic investment” in Clifton Wealth Partnership to be partly used to speed up Clifton's acquisition programme.