Fast growing wealth manager and Financial Planner Perspective Group has expanded into Northern Ireland as it acquires four more financial advice firms, adding £240m in Assets Under Management.

The four deals bring an additional 880 clients.

The acquisition of Marlborough Place is the first for Perspective in Northern Ireland and boosts its total number of offices to 27.

In its latest round of acquisitions, Perspective has acquired:

• Marlborough Place in Belfast
• Tees Valley Asset Management in Stockton-On-Tees
• P Bennett & Associates in Leicestershire
• Oak Financial Management (MCR) in Cheshire

The Financial Planning group has completed eight acquisitions since the start of the year and 63 in total since it was founded 16 years ago.

Before its acquisition by Perspective, Belfast-based Marlborough Place was part of the On-Line Partnership.

Eamon Southwell, director of Marlborough Place, said: “We wanted to be confident we have a business model which provides a consistent and reliable high level of service for our clients, not just now, but long into the future.

“Whilst we have been part of the On-Line Partnership Ltd since we were founded in 2013, we decided the best long-term solution for our clients and staff was to seek a merger with a larger partner who could provide the assistance and support required to help sustain and grow the business further.”

Tees Valley Asset Management formerly traded under the name Acorn Independent Financial Planning. Perspective completed its acquisition of the firm on 31 March. Tees Valley was looking for support from a larger firm due to a bereavement.

Gary Blakemore, managing director of Tees Valley Asset Management, said: “Following the sudden, sad passing of my close friend and business partner David Snowden last year, it was imperative that I obtained help and support from a larger national firm.”

Perspective completed its acquisition of P Bennet & Associates on 21 April. The firm formerly traded under the name of PBMD Limited.

Paul Bennet, founded and director of P Bennett & Associates, chose to sell his firm to Perspective as part of his succession planning.

He said: “When I came to the realisation that I was not getting any younger and needed to address the issue of succession planning, I sought a way forward to protect the interests of my clients to ensure they would have continuity of advice in the years to come.”

Stockport-based Oak Financial Management Limited was founded by Martin Blackman in June 2012.

Mr Blackman said: “After nearly forty years in the profession I felt it was time to follow the advice we have given so many of our clients and plan my own retirement. I am delighted to join Perspective as this will provide long-term security for delivering financial advice to our clients and enable me to step away with confidence, knowing that our clients are in excellent hands.”