Absolute Financial Group acquires four North West IFA firms
- Simon Bourke
- 3 hours ago
- 4 min read
7th May 2026
Chapters Capital is pleased to have advised Chris O’Toole, Keith Miller and Brian McGain on the sale of RSJ Financial Planning, and Paul and Jane Jones on the sale of Mackenzie Financial Planning, to Absolute Financial Group, as part of four North West transactions bringing £577 million of assets under advice to the growing national independent advice group.
The transactions
Absolute Financial Group has added four independent financial advice firms in the North West: Wigan-based Allied Financial Services, Liverpool-based RSJ Financial Planning, Manchester-based Millcroft Wealth Management, and Bury-based Mackenzie Financial Planning.
Together, the four firms add a further £577 million of assets under advice, taking Absolute’s total assets under advice to more than £2.1 billion. All four firms' existing offices and colleagues will continue to operate as part of Absolute, significantly expanding its footprint across the North West. Allied Financial Services, the largest of the four firms, will operate as a North West hub for the group, establishing a stronger regional presence.
Chapters Capital advised on the sales of RSJ Financial Planning and Mackenzie Financial Planning.
About Absolute Financial Group
Absolute Financial Group launched in August 2025, backed by Inflexion Private Equity Partners, Tatton Asset Management, and members of the Tatton senior management team, with a total equity commitment of £115 million. The group is led by chief executive David Carter, formerly CEO of CMS Wealth, and chaired by Paul Hogarth, founder of Tatton Asset Management and Perspective Financial Group. Absolute's strategy is to bring together high-quality, independently minded advisory firms under a unified structure, without vertical integration or loss of independence.
David Carter, CEO of Absolute Financial Group, said: "Welcoming four highly respected North West firms into Absolute Financial Group is another significant milestone in our national growth strategy, which is continuing at pace. These businesses add not only scale but deep local expertise, strong client relationships, and shared values around the importance of truly independent advice. Establishing a North West hub through Allied Financial Services strengthens our regional presence and underlines our commitment to supporting advisers with the infrastructure, resources, and autonomy they need to deliver outstanding outcomes for clients."
About RSJ Financial Planning
RSJ Financial Planning has been providing independent financial advice since 1986, when it began as an insurance broker and IFA serving clients across Merseyside and the wider North West. The firm operates from offices in Liverpool city centre and West Derby, and advises clients across financial planning and wealth management, pensions and retirement planning, income protection, investments, and life and health insurance. Chris O'Toole has led the business as Managing Director since 2011 and has over 26 years' experience in the sector, working with both corporate and private clients.
About Mackenzie Financial Planning
Mackenzie Financial Planning was founded by Paul Jones in 2006, initially to bring fee-based financial planning to Lancashire and Greater Manchester at a time when commission-based advice remained the norm. Jane Jones joined the following year, and the two became co-directors when the firm incorporated in 2010. Based at The Exchange in Bury, the firm provides bespoke financial planning to business owners, senior executives, professionals, and high-net-worth individuals, with many clients introduced through referrals from solicitors and accountants. The firm specialises in lifetime cashflow planning, wealth accumulation and protection, retirement, and inheritance tax planning.
What was Chapters Capital's role?
Chapters Capital advised Chris O’Toole, Keith Miller and Brian McGain at RSJ Financial Planning, and Paul and Jane Jones at Mackenzie Financial Planning, supporting them through valuation and positioning, engagement with Absolute Financial Group, negotiation of commercial terms, and progression through to completion.
Simon Bourke, Managing Director at Chapters Capital, added:
"It was a pleasure working with Chris, Keith, and Brian at RSJ Financial Planning and Paul and Jane at Mackenzie Financial Planning. I'm very pleased for everyone involved, and it was great to work with Dave again and the wider Absolute team as they continue to build their national footprint. Both firms were clear from the outset about what mattered most to them, which was finding the right long-term home for their clients, and Absolute's commitment to independent advice made it a natural fit for both."
On working with Chapters, David Carter said:
“I've known, and worked with, Simon and Chapters for many years and they were one of the first calls I made. They believed in our vision from the outset and were able to source, and close, several of our deals in our initial acquisition wave, by aligning us with firms who were seeking an acquirer who placed independence at the heart of their proposition.
I'd recommend any seller speak with Simon and the Chapters team without hesitation. They put real work in up front to and their judgement on buyer-seller fit comes through in every introduction, which saves valuable time for both parties.”
Considering your next chapter?
At Chapters Capital, we specialise in financial planning and wealth management M&A.
Whether you are considering a sale, merger, or want to learn more about buyers in the space, please contact one of our professional associates today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.
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