Can consolidators conquer Ireland?

Region is moving higher up buyers’ wishlists

clock • 3 min read

With around 40 private-equity backed consolidators all looking to snap up UK wealth managers, many are wondering: what comes next?

As tens of buyers all circle a dwindling number of advice firms, competition is fierce. Prices are skyrocketing as consolidators run into dozens of competitors all eyeing the same prize. "Everyone is really struggling with organic growth due to flat markets," said the former head of M&A at a major consolidator. "How many more ‘decent' firms are there left to buy, at prices both buyer and seller will consider commercially fair?" While some are predicting that the consolidators will eventually merge with each other, others are spotting a new trend, as firms build up geographical niches ...

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