Glen Gilson, managing partner, Gilson Gray

As part of the takeover, Richard Smith, the former owner of Westbourne Wealth Management, joins the firm as a financial adviser. Within GGFM, he will be responsible for advising clients who have joined GGFM as a result of the merger, as well as existing GGFM clients. He will also deliver financial wellbeing seminars to corporate clients.

The onboarding strategy for Westbourne Wealth Management clients will include an introduction to the wider range of services available through the law firm, and full integration with the GGFM client servicing strategy.

GGFM offers specialist financial advice to private and corporate clients across the UK, providing the highest level of care to grow and protect clients’ savings and investments. GGFM is a Senior Partner Practice of St. James’s Place Wealth Management; Westbourne also operates under the St. James’s Place umbrella.

This latest move means that former Westbourne clients will continue to have access to the wide range of investment options as well as benefiting from a more sophisticated back office support structure.

Steve Herkes, managing director of GGFM, said: “Under Richard Smith’s stewardship, Westbourne has seen rapid growth since its formation in 2019, successfully building a strong client bank, all of whom who have benefited from his expertise and insight in terms of increasing and/or protecting their investments.

“But most importantly, Richard – and his commitment to outstanding customer service – is a great fit with the existing Gilson Gray Financial Management team because we each focus on the importance of delivering the best outcomes for clients.”

He continued: “Our ambition is to become one of the largest investment businesses in Scotland and we expect to announce further acquisitions later this year.”