One Four Nine acquires York-based Mowatt Financial Planning

One Four Nine Group has acquired Mowatt Financial Planning in York for an undisclosed sum, rebranding it to One Four Nine Wealth.

Since 2009, Mowatt Financial Planning has supported families and individuals both in Yorkshire and nationwide.

One Four Nine said the Mowatt name is associated with “integrity, transparency, and long-term client relationships”, corresponding with the chartered financial planning and investment firm’s core principles of “placing clients at the heart of everything they do” to provide tailored, sound long-term financial planning.

The acquisition was wholly backed by Copper Street Capital, One Four Nine’s long-standing investment partner, and joins the group’s expanding takeover pipeline.

The move marks the company’s 12th acquisition since its establishment in 2021 and takes its combined client assets to £2.2bn with a team of more than 30 financial planners and over 5,500 clients.

One Four Nine Wealth is now the firm’s financial planning arm, collaborating with One Four Nine Portfolio Management to operate as a wealth planning firm that offers in-house Discretionary Investment Manager services.

Gabrielle Beaumont, One Four Nine CEO, said: “This acquisition sets the tone for our growth plans this year. Mowatt Financial Planning is an outstanding business that has built a fantastic reputation in Yorkshire. I was thrilled when they chose to join us and we remain committed to preserving their local presence while enhancing it with the broader infrastructure, investment capability and long-term succession planning that comes with being part of our Group.

“It’s important to us that clients continue to feel supported locally, while benefiting from the scale and resources of a national business. At One Four Nine, we know financial planning firms have many options they can choose from, which is why we have invested so much time in our client experience, employee benefits, integration processes and in building a truly aligned business, allowing those who join us to focus on what is most important – delivering excellent client outcomes.”

Elliot Tahmasebi, Copper Street Capital, added: “The UK financial services sector is one of the most exciting sectors globally, with policy support coming through to underpin what is likely to be the biggest growth in demand for financial advice and education we have seen in decades.

“The opportunity is huge, and we are committed to this next chapter of One Four Nine Group’s growth journey as a leading nationwide Chartered financial planning and investment management business in the UK.”

Will Mowatt, founder of Mowatt Financial Planning, said: “Our business, established in 2009, has grown alongside our clients, allowing us to build strong, lasting relationships over the years. We met with many potential acquirers but One Four Nine Group stood out to us as the closest match for our values, as well as our expectations for the high quality of personalised service clients receive.

“Their professional, client led approach , the integration process and unified business structure has really shone through, reassuring us that we were becoming part of a collegiate and culturally-aligned business, providing a secure home for our staff where clients are prioritised.”