Absolute adds £134m AUA with four South East acquisitions
- Simon Bourke
- Jul 28
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 30
28th July 2026
Chapters Capital acted as the intermediary on three of Absolute Financial Group's latest acquisitions. We were pleased to advise John Horton on the sale of Horton Independent Financial Planning in Canterbury, John Hanmore on the sale of JM Financial Planning in Eastbourne, and Chris Wales on the sale of Clear Sense Financial Planning in Chichester. Together, the three transactions bring approximately £100m in combined assets under advice to Absolute.
Deal summary
Absolute Financial Group has completed four acquisitions across the South East of England, adding a combined £134m in assets under advice and taking the group's total assets under advice to more than £2.4bn. The four firms are Horton Independent Financial Planning in Canterbury, JM Financial Planning in Eastbourne, Paul Tune Financial Services in Battle, and Clear Sense Financial Planning in Chichester. The deals bring Absolute's total acquisition count to 14 since its launch in December 2025. Chapters Capital advised on three of the four transactions.
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 stated strategy is to bring together high-quality, independently minded advisory firms under a unified structure, without vertical integration or loss of independence. The four South East transactions bring Absolute's total assets under advice to more than £2.4bn and its acquisition count to 14 since launch.
About the acquired firms
Horton Independent Financial Planning is a sole-adviser practice based in Canterbury, Kent, founded and run by John Horton. John will remain with the business as an employed adviser following the acquisition, continuing to serve his clients from Canterbury as part of the Absolute group.
JM Financial Planning is based in Eastbourne, East Sussex, and was run by Jonathan Hanmore as its sole adviser. Jonathan is retiring following completion and his clients will transfer to Absolute's existing adviser team in the South East.
Clear Sense Financial Planning is based in Chichester, West Sussex, and was run by Chris Wales. Chris is also retiring following the transaction.
Paul Tune Financial Services is based in Battle, East Sussex. Paul Tune is retiring following the sale of the client book, with clients transferring to Absolute’s existing financial planners in the South East.
Chapters Capital's role
Chapters Capital advised John Horton, Jonathan Hanmore and Chris Wales on their respective transactions, supporting each owner through valuation and positioning, engagement with potential acquirers, negotiation of commercial terms, and progression through to completion.
Absolute Financial Group's other recent acquisitions
Allied Financial Services, RSJ Financial Planning, Millcroft Wealth Management and Mackenzie Financial Planning – May 2026
Four North West advice firms joined Absolute, adding £577 million in assets under advice and taking the group’s total beyond £2.1 billion. Allied Financial Services became Absolute’s North West regional hub, while the existing offices and teams remained in place. Chapters Capital advised on RSJ Financial Planning and Mackenzie Financial Planning.
St George’s Financial Services – April 2026
Absolute made an initial investment in the Fordingbridge-based financial planning firm through its first Partnership Programme transaction. St George’s continued operating under its existing brand and management, with Absolute agreeing to acquire the remaining share capital at a later date.
Padstone Financial Management, Campton Financial Services and Iceni Financial Advisers – April 2026
The three transactions added a combined £255 million in assets under advice and close to 1,000 client households. The firms’ offices and teams remained in place, with their advisers continuing as part of Absolute. Chapters Capital advised on all three transactions.
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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