Cador Wealth adds £800m AUA through Elevation deal
Updated: 3 days ago
14th October 2026
Deal summary
Cador Wealth has completed its first acquisition, purchasing Birmingham-based Elevation Wealth Management, an independent financial advice firm with approximately £800 million in assets under advice (AUA) and 3,000 clients.
The transaction establishes Elevation as the foundation of Cador Wealth's expansion strategy, with plans to build a national wealth management group managing more than £8 billion in assets under advice over the next five years. Financial terms of the acquisition have not been disclosed.
About Cador Wealth
Cador Wealth is a UK wealth management group founded by Steve Lloyd, who serves as chief executive. Its acquisition strategy combines the consolidation of independent financial advice businesses with investment in technology, operational infrastructure and client services.
The group aims to expand through further acquisitions, organic growth and adviser recruitment, while retaining the client relationships and expertise of the firms it acquires.
About Elevation Wealth Management
Founded by Tony Smith in 2011, Elevation Wealth Management is an independent financial planning business with offices in Birmingham, London and Wolverhampton.
The firm provides financial planning and wealth management services to individuals and businesses, including retirement planning, investments, corporate financial advice and estate planning. It oversees approximately £800 million in assets under advice across a client base of around 3,000.
Why is Cador Wealth acquiring Elevation Wealth Management?
Elevation provides Cador Wealth with an established, directly authorised financial advice business from which to pursue further acquisitions. Its existing adviser relationships and regional presence offer a foundation for Cador's growth plans, while the group intends to invest in technology and use its increasing scale to improve investment and platform services.
Cador describes its strategy as 'Consolidator 2.0', with an emphasis on developing the underlying advice businesses alongside acquisition-led growth.
What happens next?
Elevation Wealth Management will retain its existing brand and continue serving clients, who will remain with their existing advisers. Founder Tony Smith has become chief commercial officer.
Cador plans further investment in Elevation's technology, people and client proposition, alongside additional acquisitions as the group expands.
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.
📞 +44 (0)204 519 7811 | ✉️ info@chapterscapital.co.uk
To stay updated with relevant M&A news, sign up for our fortnightly newsletter, The Foreword.
