Shackleton Advisers Limited has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Aberdein Considine Wealth Limited, trading as AC Wealth, in a move set to significantly strengthen its footprint across Scotland.
The transaction, which remains subject to approval from the Financial Conduct Authority, will see Shackleton acquire one of Scotland’s leading independent financial advice firms from its existing shareholders. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
On completion, AC Wealth will add around £800 million in assets under management and advice to Shackleton, taking the group’s total advised assets in Scotland to more than £1.3 billion.
The deal will also bring 40 employees into Shackleton, including 14 FCA-authorised and regulated financial advisers.
Shackleton will operate from offices in Aberdeen, Glasgow and Edinburgh following the acquisition, while retaining local representation in Perth and Stirling. The firm said the enlarged Scottish operation would be structured across two regions: Scotland East, based principally in Aberdeen, and Scotland West, based principally in Glasgow.
Continuity for clients
The firms said existing Shackleton and AC Wealth clients would continue to be served by their current advisers and teams after the deal completes.
AC Wealth clients are expected, over time, to gain access to Shackleton’s wider in-house investment capability, platform and resources. Shackleton said its broader scale would support its aim of reducing the cost of investing while maintaining a high standard of financial planning and client service.
Paul Feeney, chief executive of Shackleton, said: “The team at AC Wealth has impressed us from the outset, and I’m delighted that we have been able to agree the acquisition of such a highly regarded firm.
“This is a transformative deal for Shackleton in Scotland, a country with which our namesake, Sir Ernest Shackleton, had important connections. Scotland is a core market for us, and I believe today’s announcement represents an excellent outcome for all parties, most importantly existing clients of AC Wealth, who should in time benefit from our growing scale and strong track record of driving down the cost of investing, while retaining an absolute commitment to providing first-class advice and service.”
‘Positive development’
Jennifer Paice, chief executive of AC Wealth, described the proposed move as a positive development for both clients and colleagues.
She said: “Our approach and values are closely aligned, and this development will provide not only continuity of relationships and service for our clients, but also additional support and resources of a much larger Chartered, client-focused firm.
“I’m excited for the opportunities this transition will present to our team and to support our continued development and success in the financial advice sector in Scotland.”
Paice also thanked the partners and former colleagues at Aberdein Considine for their support over the years.
Strategic focus for Aberdein Considine
AC Wealth became an independent limited company in June 2025, having previously been associated with law firm Aberdein Considine LLP.
Jacqueline Law, managing partner of Aberdein Considine LLP, said the sale aligned with the legal practice’s strategy to invest further in its core full-service legal offering.
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“This deal is aligned with our strategic decision to invest further and grow our core offering as one of the UK’s leading full-service legal practices,” she said.
“Having overseen the transition of AC Wealth to an independent limited company in June 2025, I believe that becoming part of Shackleton represents a very natural next step for AC Wealth, whose clients and staff will benefit not only from Shackleton’s scale and focus on financial planning, but also from the reassurance of the firm’s strong ethos and values, and clear aim of delivering continuity for clients.”
Law added that Aberdein Considine looked forward to working with Shackleton where appropriate after completion of the transaction.
