One Four Nine Group acquires 1st Chartered Financial Planning

Independent financial advice and investment management firm One Four Nine Group has acquired 1st Chartered Financial Planning and has rebranded it to One Four Nine Wealth.

1st Chartered Financial Planning is a business offering lifestyle financial planning and wealth management services to people across the country.

It was established in 1991 by Sylvia Bentham, a chartered FCSI and certified financial planner through the CISI, a chartered financial planner with the CII and an associate of the institute of bankers (ACIB).

The business, which was originally named Sylvia Joyce and Associates until 2008, was one of the very first firms in the UK – and currently the only one in Lancashire – to achieve Accredited Financial Planning Firm status from the CISI.

According to One Four Nine, the launch of One Four Nine Wealth, the financial advice arm of the group, is a significant step in the firm’s progression as it integrates and rebrands all locations into a unified identity.

One Four Nine Wealth will operate alongside One Four Nine Portfolio Management, forming a wealth advisory firm with an in-house Discretionary Investment Manager (“DIM”).

The transaction marks One Four Nine Group’s ninth acquisition since launching in October 2021 and expands its nationwide footprint further into the Northwest region, having acquired Rice Whatmough Crozier and Charter Financial Planning previously.

The group said that the addition of 1st Chartered Financial Planning to One Four Nine Group will increase the number of advisers in the group to 36 and client numbers to nearly 4,500.

Gabrielle Beaumont, CEO, One Four Nine Group, said: “Sylvia and her team have built an excellent client offering which was a natural fit for the collaborative and collegiate culture here at One Four Nine – I am thrilled to welcome them aboard. It is particularly exciting to have 1st Chartered Financial Planning turbo-charge our integration and rebranding programme as we officially launch One Four Nine Wealth.

“Sylvia understood and shared our vision to create a unified brand identity across our locations as we build a first-class national wealth advisory and discretionary investment management (DIM) business which is ready to meet the current challenges facing today’s clients. We are in a strong position following a robust period of expansion and I am looking forward to leading the business through this next stage in our evolution.”

Bentham, financial planner, One Four Nine Wealth, added: “Choosing the best long-term home for my team and clients has been a significant decision, which is why I am delighted to have joined One Four Nine Group.

“The leadership team shared my values centred on client servicing and staff wellbeing as well as my ambitions to nurture the next generation of financial advisers through training and mentorship. With the integration strategy focused on building a united brand identity and innovative infrastructure in place to support advisers in their careers, this is a fantastic time to join the Group and I am keen to make a difference as part of a leading national wealth advisory firm.”