Craven Street Wealth has reached an agreement to acquire Punter Southall Defined Contribution Consulting Limited, operating as Punter Southall Aspire, in a strategic move to broaden its footprint in the south of England. This acquisition introduces new offices in Oxford, Bedford, and Bournemouth to Craven Street Wealth’s existing locations in London, Canterbury, and Horsham.
The merger is described as a natural progression for both firms, which have maintained a collaborative relationship since Craven Street’s establishment in 2017. Both companies share a commitment to long-term client relationships and are noted for their reputable standing within the financial advisory sector.
The integration will preserve all current positions, ensuring clients continue to receive advice from their existing financial planners. This merger is expected to enrich the client experience by offering a wider array of specialist services, expanding investment options, and enhancing technology platforms, while maintaining cost efficiency through increased scale.
Following the acquisition, Craven Street Wealth will comprise over 90 professionals, including 30 financial planners, most of whom are Chartered, with several having achieved the prestigious Fellowship status.
A transitional service arrangement has been set up to guarantee continuity for clients, allowing the Aspire business to operate under its existing name for a short period, with no immediate changes to client contact details.
Tom Barnett, managing director of Craven Street Wealth, shared his perspective on the acquisition: “We are delighted to be welcoming a like-minded chartered financial planning business into Craven Street Wealth, a practice recognised by clients and peers alike. This announcement is a further, concrete step towards meeting the growing demand for what we offer.”
Steve Butler, CEO of Punter Southall’s Aspire business, commented on the merger: “We know our clients will be in good hands as Craven Street Wealth share our commitment to building long-term relationships now and, in the years to come. Creating this bigger yet personalised business means an even better service for them.”
