Consolidators look to data and governance in more measured market

‘The era of buying advice firms simply for scale is well and truly over’

Jenna Brown
clock • 3 min read

Consolidators are no longer just acquiring advice firms to build scale quickly, they are now focused on data and culture when securing buyouts, NextWealth’s latest report has concluded.

Consolidation of Advice Report 2026 (CAR 2026) found that data, twinned with the right culture and strong governance, was essential in successful consolidation deals. It said the factors had always been important but acquirers now applied "a systematised process to ensure good outcomes for advisers and clients as the Financial Conduct Authority continues to scrutinise consolidation". The report noted: "Due diligence on the business to be acquired is a structured process with clearly defined criteria, not a qualitative assessment made late in the deal." The paper set out that there ...

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