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02/2020

SMITH & WILLIAMSON (S&M) acquired by TILNEY

UNITED KINGDOM Professional Services / Consulting & Audit / Accounting & Audit EV 1b - 4b GBP

Context

The merger between Tilney and Smith & Williamson creates the UK's leading integrated wealth management and professional services group, with over £45 billion of assets under management. The combined business will offer an unrivalled breadth of value-added services, focusing on private clients, businesses, and charities. The strategic rationale for the merger is to create a unique and differentiated client proposition, covering professional services, financial planning, and investment management. The combined group will benefit from an expanded office network across 36 towns and cities in the UK, Ireland, and the Channel Islands, and will deliver investment services that can cater to the full range of clients' investment needs. The merger will also enable enhanced investment in technology for the benefit of clients, and will provide clients with continuity in their relationships with their investment managers, financial planners, or professional services teams. The combined group will be led by a strong management team, with Chris Woodhouse as Group Chief Executive and Will Samuel as Chairman. The merger is expected to deliver long-term benefits for clients, employees, and investors, and will create a scaled-up group with an unrivalled service proposition that can support clients with the management of both their personal wealth and business interests.

SMITH & WILLIAMSON (S&M), which reported an EBITDA margin of LOGIN in 2020, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of LOGIN, representing a LOGIN to the average currently observed in the Business Services sector (11.1x).

Note that this data is based on contribution from our growing community, composed of M&A and Private Equity professionals, and has been verified by our team to ensure its accuracy.

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Target

Founded in 1881 as Smith & Williamson, the target is a top-ten UK accountancy and professional services firm. It operates with approximately 1,600 employees and over 121 partners across 15 offices. The firm specializes in the mid-market segment, providing a comprehensive suite of services including business and private client tax advice, assurance, forensic services, restructuring, and transaction advisory. Since its 2020 merger into the Evelyn Partners group, the division has achieved 14% annual organic revenue growth and completed seven bolt-on acquisitions since early 2023.

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Historical Financials (GBP)

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REFERENCES

Valuation range: EV 1b - 4b GBP

Revenue range: 450M - 900M GBP

EBITDA range: 100M - 200M GBP

Note: This page provides detailed data on a private equity M&A transaction. Detailed and exact financial metrics for the acquisition of SMITH & WILLIAMSON (S&M) by TILNEY are reserved for mynth community members. Register for free to unlock full data.

Authors: verified mynth contributor (mynth data is contributed by M&A / PE professionals and systematically cross-verified with private deal documents and official press releases).