Advies acquisition of St Andrews Financial fuels long term growth plan

Advies, the London-based financial advisory firm and partner in the Saltus Partnership Programme, has reported that it has acquired St Andrews Financial, a boutique independent advice firm established more than 20 years ago by James Hickson.

The acquisition represents a significant step in Advies’ long-term growth strategy, expanding its financial planning capabilities through the integration of a high-calibre, client-focused business with a strong reputation across London and the South East.

St Andrews Financial advises around 300 clients and oversees approximately £200 million in assets under management, with a client base made up predominantly of professionals and families in London and the South East. The business has built its reputation through exceptional client service, with growth driven entirely by referrals.

The acquisition further strengthens Advies’ presence in the regions served by St Andrews Financial, and brings an experienced team of advisers, paraplanners and support staff into its London operations.

St Andrews Financial will be rebranded as Advies, with integration taking place over the course of the next year. James Hickson will join Advies as Executive IFA and will continue advising clients from the firm’s office at 100 Bishopsgate, supported by an expanded team.

Clients of St Andrews Financial continue to work with their current advisers and support team, with the additional benefit of Advies’ wider range of services, enhanced investment solutions, and improved technology and client reporting.

The acquisition was supported by financing from the Saltus Partnership Programme, which Advies joined in October 2023. Through the programme, Advies receives additional business support including access to capital and mergers and acquisitions expertise, designed to help independent planning firms scale while maintaining autonomy.

Conor MacSweeney, Partner at Advies, said: “St Andrews Financial is a highly respected business with a long track record of delivering outstanding advice and building lasting client relationships. What stood out to us was the clear alignment in values between our firms: a shared commitment to personal service, professional excellence and long-term client outcomes.

“This acquisition strengthens our presence in London and the South East, brings exceptional people into the business, and adds further momentum to our long term growth plans. We are delighted to welcome James Hickson and the St Andrews team to Advies.”

James Hickson, founder of St Andrews Financial, said: “Over more than two decades, we have built St Andrews Financial around trusted relationships and a highly personal approach to advice. In Advies, we have found a partner that shares that philosophy and has the scale, ambition and infrastructure to support the next stage of growth.

“Joining Advies means our clients will continue to receive the personal service they value, while benefiting from additional scale, capability and investments in technology.”

Mike Stimpson, Managing Director of the Saltus Partnership Programme, said: “This acquisition is exactly the kind of strategic growth the Saltus Partnership Programme is designed to support. Advies is an ambitious, high-quality business, and the addition of St Andrews Financial further strengthens its proposition in a way that is aligned with its long-term plans.

“By combining access to capital with specialist mergers and acquisitions support, the programme helps firms like Advies pursue sustainable growth while preserving the qualities that made them successful in the first place.”