Edinburgh-based investment giant Aberdeen Group plc has agreed the sale of its financial planning business, Aberdeen Financial Planning, to fast growing national financial advice and planning firm Ascot Lloyd.
Aberdeen Financial Planning, formerly called 1825, was set up as part of Standard Life plc in 2015 and subsequently built up through a series of acquisitions.
The business was renamed in 2021 and then moved to sit within Aberdeen’s Interactive Investor business in January 2024.
Aberdeen Group CEO Jason Windsor said: “Today marks another step forward in our efforts to simplify our business so that we can focus on our ambition to become the UK’s leading Wealth and Investments group.
We have three core businesses, interactive investor, Adviser and Investments, all with clear plans for growth, and these actions are part of our drive to improve performance and execute on our plan.”
Aberdeen Group plc managed and administered £517.6 billion of clients’ assets at June 30, 2025.
Interactive Investor CEO Richard Wilson said: “Aberdeen Financial Planning has a great team who deliver an excellent service to our financial advice customers.
“While we ultimately concluded that the face-to-face holistic financial advice model is not the best fit with the ii digital platform, we are confident it is well placed to thrive under Ascot Lloyd’s ownership, with a positive cultural fit and a track record of client service through a national organisation of 150 advisers.”
Aberdeen will continue to partner with Ascot Lloyd through the provision of its Wrap platform from its Adviser business as well as potential investment solutions.
Ascot Lloyd CEO Francis Jackson said: “The acquisition of Aberdeen Financial Planning marks a major milestone on the Ascot Lloyd journey.
“The leadership team and advisers we encountered are highly experienced, skilled professionals who will integrate well into the culture at Ascot Lloyd.
“At the heart of the business we found a team who are committed and focused on the delivery of excellent financial planning and advice and believe the business to be a great fit for Ascot Lloyd, supporting our ambitious growth plans in the market.”