Mattioli Woods on acquisition trail
After its AIM float at the end of November, specialist pensions consultancy Mattioli Woods is to start to make acquisitions in an industry it says “would benefit from consolidation”.
The company, which provides pensions consultancy and administration services to owner-managers, senior executives and professionals, is raising about £6m for a total market value of between £17m and £22m. It plans to float on 23 November.
Executive chairman Bob Woods said: “Our admission to AIM will enable Mattioli Woods to build on its strong reputation in the pensions consultancy market, further incentivise the management team and continue to grow the business through increasing market share, both organically and by acquisition.” He said the acquisitions would potentially be sole traders and partnerships operating small-scale businesses: “It is likely that the burden of regulation and changes to systems arising from the government’s pension simplification ‘A-day’, with effect from April 2006, will pose these small practices an increasing challenge.
“We regard these operations not only as an element of competition but also as potential acquisition targets.” Woods added: “The British pensions consultancy is highly fragmented and would benefit from consolidation.”
