Financial Planning firm Ascot Lloyd is searching for a new CEO to replace Nigel Stockton who is planning to stand down after running the business for eight years.

The company says Mr Stockton will remain CEO to oversee the transition and appointment of his successor.

The move comes after private equity firm Nordic Capital acquired the firm.

Reading-based Ascot Lloyd has £10 billion in funds under influence and provides Financial Planning, wealth management and corporate benefit solutions to more than 57,000 clients. It has more than 500 staff across 21 UK locations.

Mr Stockton has been CEO since September 2015 and has overseen the substantial growth of the business in that time including 80 acquisitions. The firm was rebranded from Bellpenny to Ascot Lloyd in 2017.

He said: “It is almost two years since we agreed for Ascot Lloyd to be bought by Nordic Capital and we decided together at that time that I would hand over to a new CEO when the timing was right. Now, the time has come to find my successor to continue building on Ascot Lloyd’s success and to grow and develop it even further.”

“It’s been quite a journey since starting in 2015 with Bellpenny, rebranding to Ascot Lloyd in 2017 and, in 2022, seeing Nordic Capital enter as new owners of what has now become a £10bn+ AUA business. Since the end of 2016, the company has tripled AUM and more than quadrupled revenues, with over 80 acquisitions executed to date. I’m immensely proud of my time and legacy at Ascot Lloyd and will remain as a significant shareholder going forward.”

He concluded: “I wish all the clients, advisers, suppliers and partners well. I’d like to thank the board and everyone at the Ascot Lloyd team. I wish them all the very best for the future and look forward to celebrating their continued success.”

Mike Covell, chair of Ascot Lloyd, said: “I’d like to thank Nigel for his enormous energy and outstanding leadership of Ascot Lloyd for such a long time. He will leave a business that has developed immensely compared to the one he joined in 2015. Nigel stepping down was jointly planned when Nordic Capital bought the business two years ago, and all parties agree that now is the right time for a new CEO to continue the Ascot Lloyd success story. I’m delighted that Nigel will be involved in the selection process for his successor and continue as a significant shareholder.”

Christian Frick, partner, Nordic Capital Advisors and member of the Ascot Lloyd board, said: “I would like to thank Nigel for his excellent stewardship of Ascot Lloyd over the years. We all agree that the timing now is right for him to hand over to his successor as planned. The board has now initiated the search for a new CEO to secure the medium and long-term future of the business.”

Financial Planning Today Analysis: Nigel Stockton has steered Ascot Lloyd (formerly Bellpenny) from niche player to become a major powerhouse in the growing Financial Planning sector. It has completed 80 acquisitions over the past decade alone and grown organically. It is not the biggest player in Financial Planning but it is now a much bigger fish in a relatively small pond. Nordic Capital acquired the firm from fellow private equity firm Oaktree in 2022 and will want to see the company move on to a new level of success and growth albeit under a new boss. Mr Stockton's record is a good one and he will look back with pride on what he has achieved. There is no mention of him retiring so he may be considering new adventures while retaining a chunk of Ascot Lloyd.