The wealth management group, 7IM, has carried out a number of acquisitions in recent years and this has been part of a consolidation trend in the UK.

7IM, a UK wealth manager, has appointed one of its own senior figures, Agustin Fernandez (main picture), as chief corporate development officer.

Fernandez, who is a member of the company’s executive committee, joined 7IM in 2023. During this period, the firm has acquired businesses including Amicus Wealth, Eastcote Wealth Management, Johnston Carmichael Wealth, Lync Wealth Management, Rockhold Asset Management and CPN Financial Services. The deals have brought in more than £8 billion ($10.6 billion) of assets – an example of corporate consolidation in parts of the UK wealth sector, as discussed here.

The acquisitions came as the Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan, a global investor with net assets of $269.6 billion (as of 30 June 2025), bought a majority stake in 7IM at the start of 2024. 

"This promotion is well-deserved recognition of the exceptional job Agustin has done in a relatively short space of time. He's built a serious corporate development capability at 7IM – a team, a process and a track record that we can be genuinely proud of,” Dean Proctor, CEO at 7IM, said. “We're seeing a significant influx of capital into the UK wealth management sector, particularly in the mid-tier, and that's unlikely to change – if anything, the pace will increase. Having someone of Agustin's calibre leading our corporate development efforts means we're well positioned to act on the right opportunities as they arise.”

Proctor said that organic growth remains a major focus for the business, however. 

“But I want to be clear: while strategic acquisitions are an important part of our story, organic growth remains absolutely key. We're building this business for the long term, and that means growing from within just as much as it means finding the right partners to bring into the group,” he said. 

In total, 7IM oversaw about £35 billion in assets clients including individuals and families, financial planners, corporates, charities, and trustees, as of 31 May this year.

7IM also said yesterday that it had appointed Chris Justham as chief distribution officer, with responsibility for all 7IM Intermediary businesses. Russell Lancaster continues as managing director of 7IM’s proprietary platform and will report to Justham, the firm said.