Advice buy-side models have 'clear conflict of interest'

SBG’s Cherrington on common pitfalls and a valuations ‘peak’

Isabel Baxter
clock • 5 min read

Advice buy-side models exist to support the acquirer, not the seller, which in turn creates a “clear” conflict of interest, Sesame Bankhall Group’s (SBG) Claire Cherrington tells Professional Adviser.

Cherrington was appointed in March 2025 to lead PMS and Bankhall, and is now also responsible for SBG's propositions and partnerships. Later that year, Exit Pathway was launched for financial advisers looking to sell their businesses. The sell-side consultancy aims to help advisers maximise business value, address compliance gaps, and ensure cultural fit. "One of the things we've observed with some buy-side models is a clear conflict of interest," Cherrington says. "Buy-side models exist to support the acquirer, not the seller - and that can create tension when advice is presented as ...

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