Finli buys five advice firms as 2026 deal count hits 18

Chapters Capital is pleased to have advised on two of Finli Group's latest acquisitions, advising on the sales of Paul Simons FS in Glasgow and Simms Raymond in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

Deal summary

Finli Group has completed five acquisitions in the third quarter of 2026, bringing its total to 18 transactions this year.

The five businesses acquired are:

• Leabold Financial Management, Abercynon, South Wales

• Donald Watt, Falkirk, Scotland

• Paul Simons FS, Glasgow, Scotland

• Steve Bonell, Sheffield, South Yorkshire

• Simms Raymond, Borehamwood, Hertfordshire

The acquisitions expand Finli's presence across the UK, adding financial advice businesses and client relationships in four different regions.

About Finli Group

Finli Group is a Milton Keynes-based financial planning business established in 2021 by former Quilter Financial Planning executives Andy Thompson and Darren Sharkey. Formerly known as Solomon Capital Holdings, the group is backed by private equity firm J.C. Flowers & Co.

Finli now serves more than 25,000 clients across the UK and employs over 125 financial planners. Its acquisition strategy focuses on providing a succession route for advice businesses and client banks of different sizes, while maintaining locally delivered financial advice.

About the Chapters-advised acquisitions

Chapters Capital advised on the sale of Glasgow-based Paul Simons FS to Finli Group, with Associate Shivani Sood supporting Paul Simons through the sale of his client bank.

Chapters Capital also advised on Finli's acquisition of Simms Raymond, based in Borehamwood, Hertfordshire.

On working with Chapters on the sale of his client bank, Paul Simons said:

"It was a pleasure to deal with Shivani at Chapters Capital. She has a lovely manner and was extremely helpful; nothing was too much trouble. Shivani was great at staying in touch and made the process of selling my client bank a whole lot easier. I would recommend Chapters Capital without hesitation."

For advisers considering a similar transition, Chapters Capital's Sell and Retire service page explains how we can help you sell an IFA client book.

Finli Group's other recent acquisitions

Before completing its five third-quarter transactions, Finli acquired seven advice businesses in the second quarter of 2026, adding approximately £269m in assets under management. These included:

• Stellar FP – Q2 2026: A financial planning business based in Flitwick, Bedfordshire, acquired as part of Finli's expansion across England.

• Croesus – Q2 2026: An Edinburgh-based financial advice business acquired as Finli continued to develop its presence in Scotland.

• John Robinson – Q2 2026: A Littlehampton-based financial advice business included in Finli's second-quarter acquisitions in southern England.