Osborne Clarke advises shareholders on sale of Rockhold Asset Management and Lync Wealth Management

International legal practice Osborne Clarke has successfully acted for shareholders on the sale of Rockhold Asset Management to platform and wealth manager 7IM, and Lync Wealth Management to an affiliate of 7IM.

Launched in 2022 by longstanding Osborne Clarke client Adviser Services Holdings Limited ("ASHL"), Rockhold Asset Management currently manages approximately £2 billion of assets and offers a managed portfolio service (MPS), multi-manager funds and a full bespoke discretionary management service to clients. Following this transaction, Rockhold will continue to operate under its existing leadership, broadening 7IM's funds and MPS offering, which are a core component of 7IM's growth strategy.

Since its inception in 2020, ASHL has expanded its independent and restricted advice networks to more than 450 advisers with around £9 billion of assets under advice. In 2023, ASHL began acquiring firms under the Lync Wealth Management umbrella, offering an exit route for adviser firms wishing to step back from ownership while remaining involved in the business, or for advisers planning retirement.

To facilitate the disposals, Rockhold Asset Management and Lync Wealth Management were demerged from the wider ASHL group as part of a complex restructuring on which Osborne Clarke's Corporate Reorganisation and Simplification team advised.

Following completion of these sales, which were subject to approval of the Financial Conduct Authority, ASHL will continue to operate its network of independent advisers under the Lyncombe and Sense brands.  The deal will allow ASHL to concentrate on supporting the advice firms within its continuing network.

A multi-disciplinary Osborne Clarke team advised on this transaction, led by Corporate Partner Louise Grzasko, with Chris Yeo, Sarah Knight, Adam Turner, Andrew Massey, Kamila Bochenek, John Annan and Shauna Poole (Corporate); Tom Lewis and James Robertson (Corporate Reorganisation and Simplification); Chris Ratcliffe, Chris Hickey and Edward Thomson (Financial Regulatory); Anika Chandra and Stuart Rose (Incentives); Nick Haywood and Anisah Ahmed (Employment); Clara Hutchison (Banking); Jaskirat Singh (Commercial); Simi Lawal (Real Estate); and Tracey Wright and Ben Doeh (Tax).

"We are very proud to have supported throughout this complex restructuring and on both sale transactions which together mark a significant milestone for Rockhold Asset Management and Lync Wealth Management, as they join forces with new strategic partners to further enhance their service offerings and drive growth.  Our team's expertise and dedication, and our sector knowledge, were instrumental in achieving this successful outcome for our clients.  Following completion of the sales, we look forward to continuing to work with ASHL in the next chapter of its business."

Louise Grzasko, Partner, Osborne Clarke 

Osborne Clarke's Corporate team is considered a go-to practice for many companies in the financial services sector, working with clients ranging from global businesses to fast-growth start-ups and market challengers.  The team provides advice at every stage of company development across all corporate issues, including equity and debt fundraisings, M&A, IPOs, JVs and corporate reorganisations.