Acquisition Due Diligence - Thistle Initiatives

Since 2012 we have advised on acquisition transactions worth over £8 billion, both in the UK and internationally

You can count on us for robust acquisition due diligence reports, practical guidance and help you fully understand the regulatory risk in any transaction.

Our approach focuses on the key risks within the target’s business model, looking at governance, culture, advice history, portfolio management and testing consumer outcomes. As well as pricing and product line profit and adherence to the FCA’s Product Intervention and Product Governance Sourcebook.

View our Acquisition Due Diligence downloadable guide

We support acquisition due diligence to businesses in a wide range of sectors including Investments, Payment services, Insurance and Credit and Mortgages.

The regulatory compliance review and audit services we provide include:

FCA correspondence history (including any disciplinary action)
FCA financial returns and compliance with Prudential Regulation, including group consolidation
Internal governance and systems and controls against FCA objectives
Suitability as evidenced in investment and pension transfer files (including conducting file checks)
Investments sold (standard and non-standard)
Professional Indemnity Insurance cover (including exclusions)
Client money and client assets (CASS) controls
Complaints history
IT governance, systems, and controls against financial and cyber crime
Senior Managers and Certification Function persons’ roles, responsibilities and contracts
AML risk framework

How our process works

Step 1

Initial scoping exercise, includes senior management controls, culture, regulatory history, and financial exposure from legacy advice or management of assets

Step 2

Initial report flagging risks or issues before appointing accountants and solicitors and incurring those costs

Step 3

Undertake a full acquisition due diligence exercise covering everything from operations, systems and controls and IT, to culture and sustainability

Step 4

A detailed risk-based report and advise on its implications. As well as a risk-assessed report presented to your board, highlighting issues and a mitigation plan

Step 5

Expert assistance with your Section 178 Change of Controller application

Step 6

Liaise with the regulator prior to submission, draft and submit your application, and handle all follow-up with the FCA

Looking for sell-side regulatory due diligence?

If you are selling, we can help you prepare for either a full or partial sale. If you are seeking investment, our expert team can prepare you for the questions you will be asked about your business and its senior management.

If needed, we can also introduce you to solicitors and accountants, who can help you prepare your business, and to potential acquirers or investment companies.

Some of our recent deals

Wren Sterling

Wren Sterling acquisition of In Focus Group

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16 August 2024

Skerritts acquisition of Black Swan Financial Planning

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11 July 2024

My Pension Expert

Tenet&You

My Pension Expert acquisition of Tenet&You

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5 June 2024

Titan Wealth

Loveday & Partners

Titan Wealth acquisition of Loveday & Partners

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24 April 2024

Pollen Street

Mattioli-Woods

Pollen Street Capital acquisition of Mattioli Woods

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8 March 2024

Charlesbank

Perspective

Perspective Financial Group Limited being acquired by Charlesbank Capital Partners LLC

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12 February 2024

Chadwick McLean

Skerritts Group acquisition of Chadwick McLean

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19 December 2023

Liberate Wealth-2

Stafford House Investments-1

Liberate Wealth acquistion of Stafford House Investments

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11 December 2023

Telford Mann-1

Titan Wealth-1

Telford Mann on completion of its transaction with Titan Wealth

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24 November 2023

Titan Wealth-1

Titan Wealth on completion of its transaction with Parthenon Capital

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21 November 2023

Titan Wealth-1

Titan Wealth being acquired by Prism Financial Advice Ltd

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12 October 2023

Skerritts Group being acquired by Ambrose Fisher Ltd

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2 October 2023

One Four Nine Group acquisition of 1st Chartered

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25 September 2023

Wren Sterling-3

Stock and Co deal

Wren Sterling acquisition of Stockdale & Co deal

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22 September 2023

One-Four-Nine-Group

One Four Nine Group acquisition of Rainbird & Co

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18 July 2023

Wren Sterling-2

Wren Sterling acquisition of Ralston Bennett Financial Planning and Callisto Wealth

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25 May 2023

Titan Wealth-1

Titan Wealth acquisition of Ravenscroft Investments Management

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24 May 2023

Wren Sterling-1

Wren Sterling acquisition of Active Wealth Management Limited and HB&O Financial Services

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5 April 2023

Mercier Allen and Associates

Skerritts acquisition of Mercier Allen Associates

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4 April 2023

Craven Street

Bernard Barrett Associates

Craven Street Wealth acquisition of Bernard Barrett Associates

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10 March 2023

Parthenon Capital

Titan Wealth Holdings acquisition of Parthenon Capital Investment

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2 March 2023

Wren Sterling

Wren Sterling acquisition of Morfitt & Turnbull

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23 January 2023

Telford Mann

Telford Mann acquisition by Titan Wealth Holdings

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4 January 2023

Verso Wealth Management acquisition of IEP Financial

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15 December 2022

Final_heritage.complete

Verso Wealth Management acquisition of Heritage

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15 December 2022

Skerritts Group acquisition of PS Financial Advisers Ltd

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1 September 2022

Verso Wealth Management acquisition of Campbell Thomson Insurance Services

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22 August 2022

One Four Nine Group acquisition of Russell Gibson Financial Management

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12 August 2022

Preservation Capital Partners becoming majority shareholder of Saltus Group

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4 August 2022

One Four Nine Group acquisition of APC Financial Solutions & Consultancy Services

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22 July 2022

Wren Sterling Financial Group acquisition of Critchleys Financial Planning LLP

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15 July 2022

Baggette Asset Management being acquired by Titan Wealth Holdings

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5 July 2022