Bristol-based financial services provider Clifton Asset Management is to embark on a string of acquisitions after securing a major investment from an independent asset manager.
Clifton said the “significant” funding from Boost&Co would support its ‘buy-and-build’ strategy and it already had an extensive pipeline of opportunities. 
The firm, based at Ham Green, adopted the strategy two years ago, snapping up Shrewsbury-based Plan For Life Wealth Management and adding Portsmouth-based Leonard Gold last year.
Leonard Gold had been an appointed representative of Clifton Asset Management’s Clifton Wealth Partnership subsidiary, which was set up as a vehicle for smaller advisory firms to either become appointed representatives or join the firm via acquisition.
When it launched the subsidiary, Clifton said it wanted to “disrupt the established advisory firm acquisition model” by targeting acquisitions that would create a regional network of small financial advisory businesses.
Clifton is one of the largest providers of alternative business finance in the UK.
Its core business is assisting owner managers of small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK to raise business finance, mainly through the use of Small Self-Administered Pension Schemes (SSASs) and Self Invested Personal Pensions (SIPPs).
It said it was now lining up several more acquisitions with the support of Boost&Co’s investment, details of which have not been disclosed.
These would create a number of additional jobs and optimise both the experience and services provided to clients, it added.
In addition, the loan will enable it to continue its technological innovation, ensuring it is at the forefront of its proposition.
Clifton Asset Management financial planning director Anthony Carty said: “This funding from Boost&Co will enable us to accelerate our growth, adding to our network of businesses and enhancing the services that we offer.
“It comes at a really exciting time for the company and we are looking forward to pursuing the many opportunities coming our way, with the support of this investment.”
Boost&Co said it had chosen to work with Clifton Asset Management due to its strong and highly experienced executive management team, while the acquisition opportunities made it an appealing investment choice.
Boost&Co head of South and Midlands Kim Martin said: “We are really pleased to support the Clifton team as they continue to deliver their exciting expansion plans for the group.
“The company has gone from strength to strength since its acquisition of Leonard Gold and the funding from Boost&Co will provide support by bringing an extensive pipeline of acquisition opportunities into the Clifton fold.”
Boost&Co provides growth capital for innovative, fast-growing UK SMEs, covering a wide range of sectors.
It has funded more than £500m across more than 130 deals to date. It also provided close to £200m under the government’s CBILS initiative to support SMEs during Covid-19.
