Fast-growing international Financial Planning firm Hoxton Wealth has acquired Darlington-based Family First Financial Services for an undisclosed amount.

It is the firm’s fifth UK acquisition in the last 12 months and adds more than £85m AUM to the group.

Family First works across all aspects of Financial Planning, including wills, potential inheritance tax liabilities, and the benefits of trust funds. It was set up in 2003, receiving authorisation in August 2003, according to the FCA Register.

Its website stresses its friendly approach to clients saying: "The team at Family First are all dog lovers and are we are as passionate about our pooches as we are about helping our clients to look after their finances."

Thomas Maddison, acquisitions director at Hoxton Capital Management, said: “This acquisition significantly enhances our presence in the north of the UK and further advances our goal of delivering lifestyle Financial Planning at scale throughout the country.”

He thanked Mark Horner, managing director, and Ian McFarlane, operations director, at Family First for their collaboration throughout the process. “Their dedication has been instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition.”

Mark Horner will oversee the handover period, introducing clients to their new Hoxton advisers and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken for a successful integration.

UAE-based Hoxton now has more than £1.8bn AUM. Ithas offices in the USA, Australia, South Africa and in Europe and is expanding in the UK. It was set up in 2018 by British expatriate Mr Ball, formerly of deVere Group. It employs 300 staff worldwide. 

It was known as Hoxton Capital Management until it rebranded last August. The company said its new branding would help ensure that internationally-minded clients have a place alongside more domesticly-focused clients.

It made four acquisitions in the UK last year, the most recent being a deal in July for an undisclosed sum to buy St Albans-based Chequer Financial Services.

In June Hoxton acquired London and Southend IFA Devine Financial Management. In April, Hoxton acquired two UK-based Financial Planning firms, AUM Dudley-based Alpha Financial Services and Guildford-based Bartholomew Financial Planning. 

Earlier this month it added Jordan Maxwell as a Financial Planner in its UK team.