A team of industry veterans has acquired a Scottish financial adviser firm to use as a launch pad for a new wealth management and Financial Planning business called Nine Edge Wealth.
Among the people supporting the venture are ex-England rugby star Matt Dawson.
Nine Edge Wealth has been created following the acquisition of Edinburgh-based advice business RMS Limited by former CEO of Aspira and Titan Wealth, Derek Miles and Kyle Augustin, who was previously CEO at Fintel IQ.
The pair are joined by fellow founder, Jo Blake, who was also formerly at Titan Wealth, and ex-England Rugby World Cup winner Matthew Dawson, who will act as a non-executive director.
BP Marsh and Partners plc are the initial investors in Nine Edge Wealth which has secured start-up investment. The deal follows a longstanding relationship between Nine Edge’s co-founder Derek Miles and BP Marsh.
As part of the investment, Oliver Bogue, investment director, will join the board as a non-executive director.
Nine Edge Wealth's founding team have substantial industry experience in wealth management and technology driven business models with experience in team sports at senior and elite levels in rugby.
The new firm aims to provide "jargon-free" guidance focused on "reducing friction" in financial advice. Nine Edge will act as a partner in financial and lifestyle Financial Planning, helping clients make confident decisions, it says.
Derek Miles, formerly of Titan Wealty, was the founder of Aspira Corporate Solutions, a national advisory business with about £4bn of assets under advice prior to its sale to Titan Wealth Management in 2024. He has over 25 years’ experience in the financial advice sector.
He said: “We’re incredibly proud to be launching Nine Edge Wealth, bringing together a team of talented professionals united by shared values and a genuine desire to improve how financial planning is delivered.
“The advice sector is ready for change, to modernise the client experience and improve outcomes, as well as create an environment where our people feel proud of the service they provide. That means removing jargon and reducing complexity while communicating clearly and in our clients’ language.
“Everything we do is focused on helping clients live the life they want, with Nine Edge Wealth as a trusted partner delivering better, more consistent outcomes. This is our opportunity to build a business that truly lives its values of client-first, technology-enabled, which is proud of its people.”
BP Marsh has taken a 30% equity interest in the company and has provided a loan facility to support Nine Edge growth of £1.7m of which has been drawdown on completion.
Dan Topping, CEO of BP Marsh, said: “We are pleased to support the launch of Nine Edge Wealth and to be working with Derek again, given his strong track record in building and exiting a successful financial planning business. The investment is consistent with our strategy of backing experienced management teams at an early stage and supporting them as they build high-quality financial services businesses.”