SMITH & WILLIAMSON (S&M) acquired by TILNEY

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.