Gilson Gray Financial Management seals fourth acquisition in 12 months

Gilson Gray Financial Management has swallowed a Fife-based boutique wealth manager, marking its fourth deal in the past 12 months.

The financial planning arm of full-service legal firm Gilson Gray has acquired St Andrews-based Wilson Financial on undisclosed financial terms. The boutique wealth management firm – founded by Gavin Wilson in 2018 as part of the St James Place partner network – expands Gilson Gray Financial Management’s (GGFM) offering in Dundee, following the recent acquisition of RS Robertson. Wilson joins a team of more than a dozen financial planning and client relationship specialists in Gilson Gray’s new city centre premises on West Marketgait.

Earlier this year, GGFM snapped up Edinburgh-based Sarah Hughes Wealth Management, while in late 2022 the firm welcomed East Lothian’s Scott Wallace Financial Planning to the fold. The expansion drive has taken the firm’s assets under management to some £650 million with more than 20 financial advisers, supporting clients across the UK.

Steve Herkes, managing director of GGFM, said: “Gavin is a great addition to GGFM and his experience and expertise will be invaluable in helping us to continue to provide the highest quality of service to our clients from our growing Dundee office. He will complement our existing team and play a central role in helping to develop our presence in the wider region, particularly Fife and Stirling.

Alastair Lindsay, managing partner at GGFM, Gavin Wilson, and Steve Herkes, managing director of GGFM.

“Gilson Gray arrived in Dundee just two years ago and has grown significantly – our acquisition of RS Robertson has added a strong GGFM presence to our legal expertise in the city. Adding Wilson Financial to our business is the latest deal in a series of strategic acquisitions and we hope to conclude more across Scotland as we move further into 2023.”

Wilson added: “Building a business has been a great experience over the last six or so years, but when the opportunity to become part of GGFM came up it felt like the right time to bring that chapter of my career to an end. Joining GGFM is a great opportunity and the right fit for my clients across the UK – it will give them access to a wider team that share the same values, a broader range of expert services, and a greater depth of experience.”