Absolute adds £280m with Platinum IFS acquisition
8th September 2026
Deal summary
Absolute Financial Group has acquired Platinum Independent Financial Services, an independent financial advice firm based in Sale, Greater Manchester, adding approximately £280m in assets under advice.
The transaction takes Absolute’s total assets under advice to £2.68bn and represents its 15th acquisition since the group was established. Financial terms have not been disclosed.
Platinum has 15 employees and will retain its existing office following completion. The business will also continue operating under the Platinum brand for a short transition period while clients are integrated into the wider Absolute group.
About Absolute Financial Group
Absolute Financial Group is a national independent financial advice group led by chief executive David Carter and chaired by Paul Hogarth, founder of Tatton Asset Management and Perspective Financial Group.
The group is backed by Inflexion and was launched with Absolute Financial Management, a South East advice business with more than £1.1bn in assets under advice. Its model combines acquired advice firms within a wider group supported by central operational, compliance and adviser infrastructure.
Following the Platinum transaction, Absolute has completed 15 acquisitions and grown to £2.68bn in assets under advice.
About Platinum Independent Financial Services
Platinum Independent Financial Services is an independent financial advice firm based in Sale, Greater Manchester, with approximately £280m in assets under advice and 15 employees.
Director Martin Hood will join a group whose management team Platinum has worked with for a number of years. Hood said the transaction would provide additional back-office and compliance support while maintaining continuity for clients.
Why is Absolute acquiring Platinum IFS?
The acquisition strengthens Absolute’s existing North West operation. Platinum follows four North West firms acquired by Absolute in May: Allied Financial Services in Wigan, RSJ Financial Planning in Liverpool, Millcroft Wealth Management in Manchester and Mackenzie Financial Planning in Bury. Those transactions added a combined £577m in assets under advice, with Allied Financial Services designated as Absolute’s North West hub.
Platinum brings a further £280m in AUA to that regional footprint while retaining its Sale office and existing team. Absolute chief executive David Carter said the firm was already well known to Absolute’s management and fitted its approach of combining centralised support with locally delivered independent advice.
What happens next?
All 15 Platinum employees will remain with the business and its Sale office will stay open.
Platinum will initially continue under its existing brand before clients are integrated into the wider Absolute group. No timetable for completing that transition has been disclosed.
Absolute Financial Group’s other recent acquisitions
Horton Independent Financial Planning – July 2026
The Canterbury-based firm joined Absolute as part of a four-deal South East expansion. Founder John Horton remained with the business as an employed adviser following the transaction. Chapters Capital advised John Horton on the sale.
JM Financial Planning – July 2026
The Eastbourne business was acquired as its owner, Jonathan Hanmore, prepared to retire. Its clients transferred to Absolute’s existing South East adviser team. Chapters Capital advised Jonathan Hanmore on the sale.
Paul Tune Financial Services – July 2026
Absolute acquired the Battle, East Sussex client book as Paul Tune retired, with clients transferring to existing Absolute financial planners in the region.
Clear Sense Financial Planning – July 2026
The Chichester-based business formed part of the same £134m South East acquisition round. Founder Chris Wales retired following the transaction. Chapters Capital advised Chris Wales on the sale.
Considering your next chapter?
At Chapters Capital, we specialise in financial planning and wealth management M&A.
If you own an IFA, financial planning or wealth management firm, we can help you understand the options available to you, from pre-sale planning and selling your firm to retire, through to sell and stay structures and partnership programmes.
For a confidential conversation about valuation, buyer fit or your route to market, contact our team.
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