Our average client retention rate the year after acquisition exceeds 97% and as we have been acquiring businesses since 2008 we have a long history of paying deferred payments and pride ourselves on maintaining great relationships with vendors long after any deal and their retirement.
We encourage you to read the feedback from vendor forms who have become part of Perspective. Whilst each firm has their own individual reasons to decide that joining Perspective was right for them and their clients, there are some common themes: our combination of retaining their local office and staff where appropriate; lifting some of the compliance burden from their shoulders, and always putting the client first.
Some comments from our recently acquired colleagues:
October 2024
Leigh Clayden, founder and director of Clayden Financial Planning Ltd in Ipswich, now Perspective (Clayden Financial) said:
“After 30 years of providing financial advice, I wanted to make sure that my staff and clients would be looked after when I decided to retire.
It was important to me to find an acquirer who had the same professionalism, same culture, ethos and ethics as myself, always putting clients’ interests first.
When I met with Ian Wilkinson and his team at Perspective, they provided me with the confidence that they would meet all my criteria and provide my staff and clients with the best place for their long-term future needs and requirements.”
Vanessa Townshend, co-owner of Springfield Financial Services Ltd in Preston and now Perspective (Springfield) Ltd said:
“After 20 years of working together and growing Springfield Financial Services, Tony Pilkington, Managing Director, decided to take retirement. When looking for a new owner, our main concern was continuity. With Perspective, we are confident that we have joined a company that will assist us in continuing to provide high quality, client-centric advice, and will also provide a welcoming, secure environment for all our staff.”
Greg Jones, Director of Warwick Financial Solutions Ltd, now Perspective (Warwick Financial Solutions) said:
“After 40 years of looking after our wonderful clients, it was very important we found a company that had the same values as us. After nearly two years of careful research, we found a partner in Perspective who are a perfect fit for our clients and our hard-working staff team.
“I know Perspective takes great care in who they acquire with significant and detailed due diligence, so we are very proud to become part of the organisation. Our clients will be looked after by the same staff and advisers as before, which achieves a seamless continuity for all our clients for the future.”
Barry O’Neill, Director of Edgmoor Financial Planners now the Manchester office of Perspective (North West) Ltd said:
“As a small firm, we were finding the increasing regulatory requirements onerous, when what we wanted to do was spend more time with clients. Joining Perspective allows us to do that. They provide the regulatory framework for us, allowing us to do what we do best, speak to clients and help manage their finances.
“It is obvious that Perspective has the same ethos as we do in client servicing and maintaining personal relationships. As such, this is a good fit for both parties and we look forward to serving our long-standing clients for many years to come under the Perspective banner.”
September 2024
Richard Whittington, founder and director of Whittington Goddard Associates Ltd in Dore, near Sheffield, now Perspective (Whittington Goddard) said:
“We decided to join Perspective following a number of meetings with members of the Board and senior management team. It was obvious that they shared our commitment to providing focussed face to face advice and this gave us confidence that our clients will be well served long into the future.”
Nick Blackford Director of Copthorne Financial Services in Egham, Surrey said:
“I have been reviewing my ‘LifePlan’ over the last few years and wanted to make sure that my staff and clients would be looked after when I decided to retire from the financial services profession.
“I carried out a thorough search to identify the best long-term partner who shares my personal values and standards of client service and professionalism.
“An added advantage is some of my clients will be served from other Perspective offices where these are geographically closer and more convenient for them.”
January 2024
Simon McGechie and Paul Adams, former Fairstone Financial Management colleagues:
Simon said:
“I have been considering my personal future for a while. With a desire to provide continuity of service to clients, I carried out a thorough search to identify the best long- term partner who shares and lives my personal values and standards of client service and professionalism. Perspective meets these criteria in full.”
Paul Adams added:
“Whilst I am taking this opportunity to relinquish my authorisation with our regulator I, like Simon, will remain with Perspective for a short period to ensure a smooth handover. Perspective’s impressive approach to its in-house Academy gives me confidence that my clients will be well advised long into the future.”
Andrew Frettingham and Paul Southgate, Directors of Park Lane Independent Financial Advisers Ltd in Colchester, now Perspective (East Anglia) said:
“We have always put our clients at the forefront of all that we do and over several years have built valued relationships based on trust and sound financial planning. It is therefore important that we are able to continue to do this for many years to come whilst also dealing with the ever-increasing burden of regulation.
After meeting Ian Wilkinson and David Hesketh it became clear they share our client focused approach whilst retaining the feel of a smaller, local firm.
They have reassured us on two key considerations which are firstly, no significant changes for our clients; secondly, career security and progression opportunities for our valued and talented long-standing staff. We are therefore delighted to have joined Perspective.”
October 2023
John Burchett and Adam Jerreat, Directors of Prosperity (GB) Ltd now part of Perspective (South) Ltd said:
“Since 2004, Prosperity (GB) Ltd has experienced exceptional growth due to numerous recommendations from existing clients and professional connections for which we are immensely grateful. I have decided it’s time for me to retire soon, though will continue to be involved with the firm for a short period to ensure a smooth handover. My fellow Director, Adam Jerreat will remain with the business and continue to look after his clients, old and new.”
Kim Alexandra, founder and Director of AYP Financial Planning Ltd, now Perspective (North East)’s Hexham office said:
“I established my firm 20 years ago to offer a top quality independent financial planning service for women. Since then, we have evolved beyond specialising in advising women and have experienced tremendous growth with clients confidently referring family and friends as they know all will be treated with the utmost respect and professionalism by the whole team.
“This move will provide long term security to the provision of financial advice for our clients, career security and indeed greater opportunity for our people, and the ability to grow our office in Hexham. I will continue to look after our clients old and new and am very pleased that the whole team is transferring across to Perspective.”
Steve Bennett and Scott Flemings, Directors of Hunter & Co (IFA) Ltd, now Perspective (Staffordshire) commented:
Our goal was to find a larger partner that placed our clients, our staff and our local office above everything else. After discussions with numerous firms, we found that Perspective ticked all those boxes and many more. Perspective’s desire to retain the existing office and staff and hence our strong local presence, has clearly been well received by our clients. They worked at our speed and assisted in all aspects of the integration with great professionalism throughout. We are confident that our clients and staff will be well looked after into the future and the office will continue to flourish”
September 2023
Ross McFadzean, Director of Brighter Financial Services Ltd in Halifax , now part of Perspectives Halifax Office (Perspective Brighter) Ltd commented:
Having spent a considerable amount of time reviewing the future for Brighter Financial Services we decided to join the team at Perspective. There was a thorough period of due diligence from both sides as we wanted to be sure that our business was a good fit as a Perspective regional office. We completed June 2023 and have only positive things to say about everyone at Perspective. They have a client first approach that is embedded throughout the business, that coupled with their flexible approach has made the process as seamless as possible. Our staff and clients alike have been very positive about the change knowing that our office will be here for the long term. I can already see that with the backing of Perspective we will continue to provide a great service to clients new and existing.”
September 2023
Andy Gait, Founder and Director of Gould Financial Planning, now part of Perspectives Cardiff Office (Gould Financial) Ltd commented:
After running a small business for over 20 years it was a difficult decision to join another business, and we researched the market thoroughly. The time was well spent as clearly, we have found a business that shares the same values as us. We are proud to be leading the way for Perspective into Wales and are pleased that the whole team in Cardiff are now at the centre of the inevitable expansion locally.”
May 2023
Darryl Tribbeck, Founder and Director of Informed Financial Advice Ltd, now part of Perspectives Canterbury Office (South East) Ltd commented:
We spoke to several companies regarding acquiring Informed Financial Advice Ltd and Perspective were head and shoulders above everyone else. They wanted to retain the staff and keep the office open, which was very important to us. They were also are very clear that our clients come first, and this is obvious three months after completion. I am 100% confident that our clients and staff will be well looked after in the future. All the Perspective people have been very friendly and helpful throughout the whole process.”
February 2023
Paul Gatenby, Founder and Director of Esk Valley Financial Services in Redcar and Cleveland, now part of Perspectives Harrogate Office (North East) Ltd commented:
We are now nearly 6 months through my client transition across to Perspective, and I only have positive things to say as regards the process that is being followed. It is quite clear the level of professionalism and consistency that Perspective work within. The feedback from clients has been excellent which continues to confirm that the initial decision to choose Perspective was the right one.”
February 2023
Paul Flynn, founder and director of Paul J Flynn Ltd, now part of Perspectives Dinnington, Sheffield Office (North) Ltd commented:
I thought it only appropriate to say a massive thanks for all the diligent work and efforts your team have put into getting my sale through to completion.You’ve been phenomenal all the way through and worked tirelessly without compromise. It’s the only way to do things and a pure delight to be the recipient of such immense and forensic attention to detail.Your approach to the whole task from the outset filled me with a level of confidence which finally convinced me I’d made the right decision.It was important to me that you understood each client down to salutation detail amongst other things, and it’s this depth of management which secured the ‘Deal’.I had total confidence in your expertise from day one, which played a major part in securing the sale/purchase between us.”
February 2023
Alan Harding and Paul Golding, founders and Directors of Goldwyns Wealth Management Ltd, now Perspectives Southend-on-Sea Office (Goldwyns) commented:
Since we started looking at our succession plan some years ago, we have had discussions with many potential acquirers. Perspective stood out as a firm that really knows what it is doing and is clear about the type of firm it wishes to acquire. Whilst we were part of The Whitechurch Network Ltd for many years and had an excellent relationship with them, they could not offer us a suitable way forward in terms of succession planning.The acquisition process has naturally at times been demanding, but from the beginning we have had real confidence that becoming part of Perspective would be the right way forward for us, and our clients and staff. We are pleased to be able to continue looking after our clients personally, whilst benefiting from the commercial and regulatory resources of a larger group.”
November 2022
Colin Pritchard and John Garvey, Chartered Financial Planners and Directors of Beanland Financial Services Ltd in Alcester, now Perspectives Warwickshire Office commented:
After a long discussion period with Perspective and completion of due diligence, we finally joined the Group in February 2022. This process, whilst lengthy, was reassuring as it was clear that Perspective is selective in the firms it purchases, and we met their criteria.We were advised it would take up to a year to settle into the business, complete the transfer of clients and adopt new systems. We have just completed our first nine months and are about 90% embedded, with actions in place to complete the outstanding tasks.Perspective has retained our existing staff and office in Alcester. The meeting room has been kitted out in Perspective’s colours together with the Purpose, Vision and Values statement which looks very impressive!All Perspective staff have been fantastic. They have made us feel very welcome and helped wherever possible with any problems.We feel we have made the right choice for our clients and staff in securing our future within a professional, reputable financial planning and wealth management Group, who will continue to put clients first and do the right thing, long after we have retired.”
November 2022
Russell Palmer, Founder and Director of Ramsey Financial in Ramsey near Huntingdon, now Perspectives Ramsey, Huntingdon Office commented:
We had reached a certain age and realised that the succession plan needed to be put in place. Perspective were the first firm we spoke to after being referred by one of their other acquisitions. Over the following weeks/months we spoke to a number of other interested parties; but it kept coming back to Perspective. Something just made us feel comfortable about them.The retention of our office within the local community was important and the ‘clients first’ mantra. We are now 6 months in and the emphasis on the ongoing client service has really impressed us. We know that when we eventually retire the process is in place that will ensure our clients continue to be looked after in the right and proper manner.As a husband & wife team rowing our own boat for many years, we had to transition to being part of a much bigger team. Everyone we have dealt with at Perspective have been an absolute pleasure to work with. The culture and ethos is spot on.There was a balance to be achieved between doing the right thing for us but also doing the right thing for our clients. We think we’ve got it right and have no regrets about our decision to work with Perspective and we would happily recommend them.”
November 2022
David Earl, Founder and Director of St Lawrence Investment & Pension Solutions Ltd in Canterbury, now part of Perspectives Canterbury Office (South East) Ltd commented:
Similar to many people, 2022 presented more challenges than expected in the post-acquisition period for my business (we were acquired in November 2021), but our new colleagues both in Perspective (South East) Ltd and across the Group, worked very hard on integrating the St Lawrence clients, for which I thank them. Retaining the office in Canterbury, to which clients feel strongly connected, provides some good continuity and ongoing contact with our local connections. Committing to one years’ service before retiring was, I feel, essential to the process. I now have a better understanding of Perspective, the people within and its service. Thanks again to my new colleagues for the input they allowed me helping settle in “my” clients with their new financial planners. Reflecting on where we are now, with all clients handed over, and integrated into the firm’s systems and processes, I’m confident that they are in a good place, and I wish both staff and clients a successful and prosperous long term relationship.”
October 2022
Phil Newton, Co-Founder and Director of Prolific Financial Services Ltd in Warrington and now part of Perspectives Warrington Office (North West) Ltd commented:
As my business partner and I approached retirement, it was a huge challenge and responsibility to ensure that we made the right choices about the future of our company, for the sake of our clients and staff alike. We wanted the business to continue to prosper, our clients to have continuity and our staff to feel that they would continue to be a part of the next phase in the company’s development.Our initial meetings with Ian and his team were very positive, as we clearly shared the same ethos. We saw them as very much like ourselves, a larger organisation obviously, but committed to building a client focused business. They also struck us as very genuine and decent people, a fact that has been confirmed throughout the process of acquisition and beyond.Six months in, any initial concerns we might have had about merging computer systems and processes have been totally unfounded. It became very clear from the outset that Perspective has both the experience and knowledge to implement an almost seamless transition.Most importantly though, our clients are very appreciative of the choice we have made and our staff are both happy, settled and excited for the opportunities that being part of a larger group presents to them. From our point of view, without a doubt, we believe we made the right decision.If you are considering the next steps for your business, then I wouldn’t hesitate in recommending that you speak to Perspective.”
September 2021
Paul Catling, Founder and Director of Bowman Financial Planning Ltd and now part of Perspectives Woodstock Office (Oxon) Ltd in Woodstock:
Finding the right future for the firm I had founded and led since 1993 was always going to be a challenge. What mattered to me most was to ensure my many loyal clients would continue to receive the highest quality financial planning advice for the long term, now Mother Nature has a habit of reminding me that I am not as young as I used to be! Perspective has proved to be an excellent partner who not only shares my values and levels of professional care, but is committed to remaining whole of market and delivering outstanding client service. My clients have been very pleased with how the transfer has been handled – that is a testament to the professionalism of the whole Perspective team. I am also impressed with how well they deliver on their promises of retaining a local feel which is important to many clients – this is a personable, friendly team which has been a pleasure to work with.”
June 2021
Joe Hill, founder and Director of Independent Life & Pensions Group Ltd (ILPG) based in Corby and now renamed Perspectives Corby Office (Northants & Cambs) Ltd commented:
Having been a Shareholder, Director, Head of IT, Compliance and many other roles with ILPG over the last 23 years, the move to Perspective has been received exceedingly well by our clients, our staff and of course myself. This move has enabled the firm to have a real succession plan with the resources of a very well respected group with the ethical and professional values we have strived to provide since ILPG was formed in 1997.I had many “Red Lines” with a sale of my shares and Perspective did not breach any of them. At all times, the process was a dialogue and a combining of shared objectives.I can be very satisfied that the interests of all parties at the firm – Clients, Staff and myself, are really closely aligned and we are looking forward to a bright future with even better resources and more time focusing on what really matters – exceptional financial advice to our clients.”
March 2021
Simon Atkinson and Neil White, founders and Directors of Atkinson White Partnership based in Darlington and now part of Perspectives Darlington Office (North East) Ltd said:
For some considerable time, we had been considering the future of the firm we had built up since 2007, particularly about our 500 clients who are located across County Durham, Teesside and the wider northern counties, and our loyal, long serving staff based in Darlington. During our search one firm stood out – Perspective. It was rare to find a firm whose ethos and client-centric approach so closely aligned with our own.“On meeting with them we soon felt comfortable with their values, professionalism and commitment to look after clients with as much care and attention to detail as we have. Whilst they have the scale of a national group, meaning they are large enough to cope with the future regulatory and succession issues, they genuinely retain the feel of a local firm. One year on, we are very pleased that they ‘do what they say’ and have delivered what they promised for our clients, our staff and us. We feel fortunate to have left the business in very safe hands.”
January 2021
Alan Galloway, founder and Managing Director of Galloway Whitfield (Life & Pensions) Ltd in Newcastle upon Tyne and now part of Perspectives Newcastle Office (North East) Ltd commented:
My final installment was received from you yesterday. Your dealings throughout the last two years have not only been exemplary but also honourable, which were as I expected. I can now relax knowing my clients and friends are in good hands and my decision to merge with the Perspective was the correct one. My best wishes for the continued success of the Group.”
May 2021
I considered very carefully how best to ensure my clients continue to receive the highest quality of advice and service when the time was right for me to retire. In the end, it was a comfortable decision for my firm to become part of Perspective, a view which has been reinforced by working closely with them during the pre and post acquisition process. The Group, management and staff all consistently share the highest professional standards and a genuine commitment to a quality of client service similar to my own. In addition, my clients are now benefiting from having access to a number of expert advisers within the Group.My loyal colleague of 33 years, Julie Hunter, has now become a member of the Perspective team and is enjoying being part of the wider Group.”
May 2019
Brian Hill, founder and Managing Director of Jones Hill Ltd based in Bradford on Avon, Wiltshire and now part of Perspectives Marlborough Office (South West) Ltd commented:
After 15 years in financial planning, I felt it was the right time to seek new challenges. Although there were quite a number of interested firms, it was clear early on that Perspective’s tried and tested approach would help secure our clients’ financial planning needs and provide a stepping-stone for Jones Hill staff. It is testament to a shared ethos that we have completed the entire process during the first Covid-19 lockdown and subsequent turbulent market conditions. I am delighted that all members of Jones Hill staff have been retained with two of them immediately joining Perspective’s highly respected in-house Training Academy. I’m sure they will continue to develop through working towards advanced financial planning qualifications under the guidance of experienced advisers who provide excellent ‘on the job’ training and support. I wish the team at Perspective every success.”
October 2019
Kathy Richards, founder and Director of Investment Principles Ltd based on the Wirral, now part of Perspectives Oswestry Office (West) Ltd commented:
I was pleasantly surprised yesterday to notice that the final installment (in full, of my agreed earn out) had been paid into my bank account almost a week ago. This merger (two years ago) has been very successful in my opinion so thank you for staying the course with me in the early stages. I would like to say a personal thank you to Julie (Hepworth). I understand you are very busy with further acquisitions so I wish you every success for the future.”
May 2021
I have known the senior team at Perspective for many years and have the greatest respect for their abilities and everything they have achieved over the last 10 years. The way the Perspective team handled the acquisition process has given me even greater reassurance that my clients are being very well looked after. Being part of a larger group means my clients are benefitting from continuity of advice and having access to a number of expert advisers within the Group.”
May 2019
Peter Goodman founder of Goodman Financial Planning in Marlborough, Wiltshire and now part of Perspectives Marlborough Office (South West) Ltd commented:
It was always going to be a difficult and emotional decision to retire as we felt a strong sense of responsibility towards our clients who we have got to know well over many years.However, having had a long standing professional relationship with Perspective’s office in Marlborough, I have seen at first hand their approach and know for certain our clients now benefit from the additional expertise and greater resources the Group offers. I have heard nothing but good reports about them from everyone I have spoken to.”
September 2019
Peter Weston, Partner at Thornton Springer Financial Services LLP based in Upper Norwood, South London, now renamed Perspectives Crystal Palace Office (Thornton Springer) Ltd said:
We got to know Perspective and its management team well through this process, and it is clear that both our clients and the business have benefitted from Perspective’s additional expertise and greater resources.We continue to operate with the same team from the same premises, ensuring our combination of personal service, technology and competitive charging continues. We remain impressed with Perspective’s vision and are pleased to be their first London office.”
January 2019
