Fast growing national Financial Planning firm Shackleton has struck a deal to acquire Aberdein Considine Wealth (known better as AC Wealth), one of the largest wealth management firms in Scotland.
Shackleton says the deal will “significantly expand” Shackleton’s footprint in Scotland and will also involve a re-organisation of its growing Scottish operation.
The deal, subject to regulatory approval, will see AC Wealth acquired from its parent Aberdein Considine LLP.
The deal will:
- Add approximately £800m in assets under management/advice to Shackleton
- Increase Shackleton’s total AUM in Scotland to over £1.3 billion
- Add 40 employees, including 14 FCA authorised and regulated financial advisers
The sum paid for AC Wealth has not been disclosed but Shackleton says it will buy the firm from existing shareholders.
Once the deal is completed, Shackleton will operate in Scotland from offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh, while maintaining a local presence in Perth and Stirling.
Following the deal, Shackleton is also re-organising its Scottish operations with the creation of two regions: Scotland East, with a principal office in Aberdeen, and Scotland West, with a principal office in Glasgow.
Shackleton CEO Paul Feeney said: “The team at AC Wealth has impressed us from the outset, and I’m delighted that we have been able to agree the acquisition of such a highly regarded firm. This is a transformative deal for Shackleton in Scotland, a country with which our namesake, Sir Ernest Shackleton, had important connections.
“Scotland is a core market for us, and I believe today’s announcement represents an excellent outcome for all parties, most importantly existing clients of AC Wealth, who should in time benefit from our growing scale and strong track record of driving down the cost of investing, while retaining an absolute commitment to providing first-class advice and service.”
Jennifer Paice, CEO of AC Wealth, said: “I’m excited for the opportunities this transition will present to our team and to support our continued development and success in the financial advice sector in Scotland.”
Jacqueline Law, managing partner of AC Wealth parent Aberdein Considine LLP, said: “This deal is aligned with our strategic decision to invest further and grow our core offering as one of the UK’s leading full-service legal practices.
“Having overseen the transition of AC Wealth to an independent limited company in June 2025, I believe that becoming part of Shackleton represents a very natural next step for AC Wealth, whose clients and staff will benefit not only from Shackleton’s scale and focus on Financial Planning, but also from the reassurance of the firm’s strong ethos and values, and clear aim of delivering continuity for clients.”