WestBridge Takes Majority Stake in £2.1bn Beckett IM
- Simon Bourke
- 2 days ago
- 2 min read
12th August 2026
Deal summary
Private equity firm WestBridge has agreed to acquire a majority stake in Beckett Investment Management Group, an independent financial planning and wealth management business with £2.1bn in assets under management and more than 5,000 clients across the East of England. Existing majority investor Foresight Group will partially exit and retain a minority stake in the business. Financial terms have not been disclosed and the transaction remains subject to FCA approval.
The transaction is the fifth investment from the £220m WestBridge III fund and represents WestBridge's largest investment to date. Foresight invested in Beckett in 2021 through its East of England Fund and expects to realise more than 5.0x its invested capital and an internal rate of return of more than 40%.
About WestBridge
WestBridge is an independent UK private equity firm investing in established and profitable lower mid-market businesses. It typically invests between £10m and £40m in companies with enterprise values of £15m to £60m and profits of between £2m and £8m, supporting growth organically and through acquisitions.
WestBridge III reached a £220m final close in January 2026. Beckett follows previous investments from the fund in Tryzens, Survey Solutions, Causeway Securities and creative agency Koto.
About Beckett Investment Management Group
Beckett was established in 1988 and provides financial planning, investment planning, retirement advice, wealth management and employee benefits services. It has offices in Bury St Edmunds, Norwich, Ipswich and Lowestoft and serves more than 5,000 predominantly high-net-worth clients.
During Foresight's investment period, Beckett increased assets under management from £800m to £2.1bn and employee numbers from 70 to more than 120. The firm completed seven acquisitions during the period while maintaining annual client retention of 97%.
Why is WestBridge acquiring Beckett Investment Management Group?
WestBridge identified Beckett's organic growth, data capabilities, culture and acquisition record as important reasons for the investment. Beckett has completed eight add-on acquisitions since 2020 and WestBridge plans to support a combination of further organic growth and acquisitions as the firm continues expanding across the East of England.
What happens next?
The transaction remains subject to FCA approval. Gavin Wood will continue as Beckett's chief executive, while Ian White will move from executive chair to non-executive chair. WestBridge's Peter Barkley and Luke Gilbert will join the Beckett board as directors, with Madeleine Finn becoming a board observer. Foresight will remain invested as a minority shareholder.
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