Archive Bestinvest acquired by the Permira Funds 06 November 2013 Bestinvest, the UK wealth manager and online investment service, announces today that it has agreed to be acquired by a company owned by the Permira funds for an undisclosed sum. The transaction, which is subject to regulatory approval, is expected to complete in the first quarter of 2014. Founded in 1986, Bestinvest is a dynamic and fast-growing UK private client investment group that is dedicated to rigorous and unbiased investment research and which has a relentless focus on excellent client service and the highest levels of professionalism. Bestinvest provides a broad range of services for private investors whether they choose to make their own decisions or require investment advice, financial planning and investment management. Bestinvest’s expertise and strong client service culture have been recognised in numerous awards, including Wealth Manager of the Year and Best Wealth Manager for Investments in the 2013 Investors Chronicle and FT Wealth Management awards. Bestinvest’s clients trust it to look after some £5 billion of their assets. The UK wealth management industry offers attractive growth dynamics with assets increasing in excess of 10% annually in recent years*. Despite recent consolidation it still remains very fragmented with a long tail of subscale firms with under £3 billion of client assets. The Permira funds will back Bestinvest’s plans to capitalise on the “advice gap” resulting from the Retail Distribution Review and will also help Bestinvest participate in the on-going industry consolidation. Peter Hall, Chief Executive of Bestinvest, said: “The success of our business has been firmly built on our impartiality and expertise in research and offering the highest standards of professionalism and client service at great value-for-money. In looking for a partner to support the future growth of the business, the Permira funds stood out from the crowd in their understanding and appreciation of our distinctive ethos and their commitment to invest in the management team’s growth strategy.” “The introduction this year of the Retail Distribution Review, which has replaced commission-based advice in the UK with transparent fees, has presented Bestinvest with an excellent opportunity for both organic growth and potential acquisitions.” “With the banks withdrawing from the advice market and many investors baulking at fee levels, we are incredibly well-positioned to support investors both through our Online Investment Service, which is aimed at those who choose to make their own decisions, and our growing regional network of financial planners who can help those who do require a trusted adviser.” Mike Covell, Chairman of Bestinvest, added: “We are hugely grateful for the support that Bestinvest has received from 3i under its period of ownership which has seen the business develop very successfully over the last few years. As we enter the next phase in our growth, I am delighted that we do so with complete continuity of the senior management team and with the Permira funds, who we have known for several years, as our partner.” Ian Lobley, Partner at 3i, commented: “During 3i’s investment, Bestinvest has been transformed as a business and continued to grow, despite some challenging times in the financial markets. Today Bestinvest has around £5bn of funds under management and a strong reputation in the industry. As Bestinvest enters a new phase of development we thought now was the time for us to realise the value created with the management team and introduce a new partner to support the company’s future growth.” Philip Muelder, Partner at Permira, added: “Bestinvest is a fast-growing and award-winning company in the attractive UK wealth management market, providing a range of services to support clients across their whole lifetime whether they need advice, portfolio management or choose to make their own decisions. The business is in a strong position to play a key role in further industry consolidation and we look forward to backing Peter Hall, Mike Covell and their team in this exciting next phase of growth.” Bestinvest and 3i were advised by Evercore and Macfarlanes. Permira were advised by Fenchurch Advisory Partners and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. Bestinvest’s management were advised by Jamieson Corporate Finance and DLA Piper. * Source: Compeer.co.uk Download: pdf version The Firm Expertise & Approach Team Transactions News & Awards News 2021 2020 2019 2018 2017 2016 2015 2014 Archive Bestinvest acquired by the Permira Funds Wesleyan Grows with Practice Plan Acquisition Legal & General acquires Cofunds Platform: Digital Investment with over £50bn of Assets under Administration See more > Awards Careers Contact Us Terms & Conditions Privacy Policy Sitemap