Brooks Macdonald makes LIFT co-founder CEO of financial planning

Brooks Macdonald has made LIFT-Financial Group co-founder Michael Holden its chief executive of financial planning.

Brooks Macdonald acquired LIFT-Financial Group in October 2024 and the deal has now been completed.

The acquisition brings an additional £1.6bn assets of under advice (AUA) and 1,350 clients.

Brooks Macdonald’s financial-planning business now has total AUA of £6.4bn, of which £2.4bn is funds under management (FUM).

It also now boasts 90 advisers and paraplanners.

Brooks Macdonald chief executive officer Andrea Montague said: “I’m delighted that we have completed the acquisition of LIFT and that Michael Holden, one of the two founders, has taken the newly created role of chief executive of financial planning.

“Mike’s strong client and high-performance focus will further drive our strategy to reignite growth.”

Holden added: “Looking ahead, I’m excited to lead the financial-planning business. Building a solid, chartered business and investing in the next generation through initiatives like the Adviser Academy has always been a passion of mine.

“With Brooks Macdonald, I’m eager to build on this foundation and help drive the financial-planning business forward.”

LIFT was founded by Holden and Joel Adams, who both said they feel confident the acquisition is the “right step for the future of the business, its clients and its team”.

They both added they feel Brooks Macdonald shares LIFT’s values and “commitment to excellence”.

In December 2024, Brooks Macdonald also completed the acquisition of Norwich-based firm Lucas Fettes Financial Planning.

Lucas Fettes added £890m assets under advice, spread across 1,600 personal clients, plus £300m assets under influence from 300 corporate and employee benefits clients.

Lucas Fettes was integrated into Brooks Macdonald’s Direct Wealth business and will enhance the Group’s financial-planning capability.

In 1996, Lucas Fettes was one of the first IFAs to outsource part of their investment management to Brooks Macdonald and the relationship has continued ever since.