M&A

WHAT'S HOT?

Following a mixed 2011, Maria Merricks asks fund managers what this year has in store for the high yield sector.

IFA consolidator Perspective Financial Group has acquired Gateshead-based adviser Vivienne Shepherd, and plans to integrate the practice into one of its existing Newcastle businesses, Rutherford Wilkinson.

Simon Hudson, the former chief executive of Tenet Group, has made a swift return to the advisory arena with the acquisition of a Leeds-based firm, and is aiming to purchase up to five more businesses.

Standard Life's Karen Robertson and M&G's Aled Smith have both entered Chelsea Financial Services' infamous 'Relegation Zone'.

Brooks Macdonald Asset Management has agreed to purchase the investment management activities of national law firm Clarke Willmott in a deal worth up to £6m.

Rupert Murdoch's takeover of BSkyB appeared to be dead in the water last night after proof emerged that executives at his British newspaper empire mounted a cover-up of the full scale of alleged criminal wrongdoing at the News of the World.

Foster Denovo has agreed a deal to acquire the IFA business of independent Lloyds brokerage firm John Holman & Sons.

David Hesketh, group M&A manager at Perspective Financial Group, unravels the myths about what happens to clients, staff and stakeholders after a business has been acquired.