Ambitious trust company Ludlow Trust has acquired the NatWest Group and Coutts UK trust businesses and will relaunch both under the Ludlow Trust banner. 

Ludlow Trust is an independent trust company and is backed by the Wickers and Sarikhani families, with three former senior Barclays executives on the board. 

Directors of Ludlow have helped create other groups such as Vistra, ZEDRA, the Chiltern Group and the Intertrust Group.

Ludlow Trust says it has been granted “trusted partner” status and will have non-exclusive access to NatWest Group clients to help grow future business. 

The company will continue to operate from London and Bristol with all staff being retained. “Substantial new capital” will be invested in the business, Ludlow says.

Ludlow is planning an ambitious expansion strategy to create an independent, international trust group. 

In the UK, the team will work closely with NatWest Group as well as intermediaries in the legal, accounting and wealth management sectors. 

Matthew Wickers, chief executive, said: “The launch of Ludlow Trust will deliver a vibrant new player in the market, one offering a unique combination of innovative flair and fleet-footedness, supported by the heritage and reputation of the two underlying businesses. 

“Longer term, we are planning to expand into the international market, to offer trust and related services to clients globally.”