Absolute Financial Group acquires three independent advice firms, advised by Chapters Capital
- Simon Bourke
- 7 days ago
- 5 min read
30th April 2026
Chapters Capital is pleased to have advised on the sale of three businesses to Absolute Financial group, supporting the owners of Padstone Financial Management, Campton Financial Services, and Iceni Financial. Together, the three deals bring a combined £255 million in assets under advice and close to 1,000 client households to the growing independent firm.
The transactions
Absolute Financial Group has completed the acquisitions of Padstone Financial Management in Hereford, Campton Financial Services in Surrey, and Iceni Financial Advisers in Norwich. The three deals take Absolute's total assets under advice to £1.55 billion. All existing offices and staff across the three firms will continue to operate as part of Absolute, with the group stating that the acquisitions extend its regional footprint across the East, South, and West of England.
At Padstone, Mark Young joins Absolute as an employed adviser and will manage the Hereford office, supporting further regional growth. All remaining Padstone staff transfer to Absolute on their existing terms. At Iceni, Joe Dunn will stay on as an advisor and three members of the Iceni team, including two advisors and one paraplanner, will also join Absolute as part of the transaction. At Campton, Michael Cooke and Gary Webb will both stay on as advisers following completion.
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 Padstone Financial Management, Campton Financial Services, and Iceni Financial Advisers into Absolute marks another milestone as we continue to build a leading independent financial planning business. Each of these firms brings exceptional people, strong client relationships, and a commitment to high-quality advice that aligns perfectly with our values and culture. We have a strong pipeline of like-minded IFA firms that we expect to complete over the coming weeks in order to continue to grow and realise our ambitions."
About Padstone Financial Management
Padstone Financial Management was founded by Mark Young in Hereford in 2001. The firm provides independent financial advice across retirement planning, investments, and inheritance tax planning, serving clients across Herefordshire and surrounding areas.
Mark Young, director at Padstone Financial Management, said: "After many years of searching for a business that could allow us to continue offering genuinely independent advice, we discovered the team at Absolute who clearly held the same values as we did. We pride ourselves on providing positive outcomes and performance for clients and are pleased to be joining Absolute, which will allow us to continue this and develop our business."
On working with Chapters Capital, Mark Young added: "Daniel at Chapters Capital was a great help with the sale of Padstone. It was important to find a buyer who was the right fit for an independent firm like ours and who would look after clients properly. Daniel understood that and made the right introduction, kept things moving and was straightforward to deal with throughout. I am very pleased with the outcome."
About Campton Financial Services
Campton Financial Services was founded in 1978 as an insurance broker by Derek Pattison, originally based in London before relocating to Surrey in 1995. The firm has been authorised as a financial planning firm since 2021.
About Iceni Financial Advisers
Iceni Financial Advisers was founded by Joe Dunn in 2013 and is based in Drayton, Norfolk. The firm advises clients on pensions, investments, mortgages, insurance, personal taxation, wills, lasting power of attorney, and business loans, with a focus on building long-term personal relationships and bespoke service.
Joe Dunn, founder of Iceni Financial Advisers, said: "Daniel and Simon have the patience of a Saint. I was really concerned about finding an independent company who would look after my clients and my colleagues. The guys worked with me to help me find the best fit. I've been delighted with their help both before, during, and after the process."
What was Chapters Capital's role?
Chapters Capital advised the owners of all three businesses on their respective transactions, supporting each through valuation and positioning, engagement with potential acquirers, negotiation of commercial terms, and progression through to completion.
Daniel Campanale, Associate Director at Chapters Capital, said:
"It was a real privilege to advise on three transactions of this nature in close succession. Each of these businesses had been built with genuine care, and in each case what mattered most to the owners was finding the right home for their clients and their people. Absolute's model, with its commitment to preserving independence and supporting advisers properly, made it a compelling fit for all three. We are very pleased to have helped secure the right outcomes."
Simon Bourke, Managing Director at Chapters Capital, added:
“I’m genuinely pleased for everyone involved, and it was great to work with Dave again and the wider Absolute team on their initial wave of transactions. We first sat down with Gary and Michael at Campton a number of years ago and stayed in dialogue until the right buyer and timing came together. Mark at Padstone was clear from the start that he only wanted to speak with independent planning firms, which made the alignment with Absolute a natural one. Joe at Iceni was rightly selective on options, focused throughout on making sure his clients and team would be properly looked after.”
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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