WINTERFLOOD BUSINESS SERVICES WBS acquired by Epiris

Epiris Fund III agreed to acquire Winterflood Business Services from Marex Group. The agreement formed part of a wider arrangement under which Marex simultaneously completed its purchase of Winterflood Securities from Close Brothers and committed to sell Winterflood Business Services to the Epiris vehicle. Marex kept the Winterflood market-making and corporate broking operations and the Winterflood brand, while Winterflood Business Services was carved out as a standalone wealth infrastructure platform. The deal was subject to regulatory approvals and expected to close in the first part of 2026, when it would be Epiris Fund III’s sixth investment. At the time of the deal, Winterflood Business Services worked under long-term contracts with recurring revenues and high customer retention, and had grown profitably for more than a decade. Chief executive Alex Kerry and the existing management team stayed to run the business, which Epiris intended to develop into a fully independent, technology-led financial infrastructure company, broadening its offer and expanding beyond its existing UK client base. Epiris was advised by GP Bullhound as financial adviser, PwC on financial and tax matters, Mayer Brown on legal, L.E.K. Consulting and Alpha FMC on commercial and operational due diligence, and AJ Gallagher on insurance.