13/04/2026
Alexander Beard Group sold to Directors and staff in EOT deal
18 months ago, to secure my ‘financial’ retirement, I sold the Alexander Beard’s UK IFA business; a company I had built up since 1987.
Whilst it was a difficult decision from an emotional point of view, it was the right thing to do and the new owners MKC Wealth proved to be exactly the right choice.
This allowed me to achieve a parallel ambition, held for a number of years, to sell the other three divisions of Alexander Beard Group to the Directors and staff.
Today (April 13th) we have closed that deal using an Employer Ownership Trust.
I could have taken a different route, but ensuring that the people who built this business now own its future, mattered more to me than maximising a final exit.
This has so many aspects to it, none more so than it rewards the 10 colleagues who have worked for ABG for more than 10 years and another similar number that have been with us for between 5 and 10 years.
Another aspect that will surely resonate with many people who discuss the great contribution of women in our industry, is that Anita Brennan who joined me 21 yrs ago to put together the back-office framework for our successful International Retirement Plan, becomes Joint Managing Director, alongside Liz Evans, who has led our finance dept team so well for the last 7 years. Three of the other five senior managers team are also women; one of whom, Paula Dingley, began life with ABG 20 years ago as my PA and now manages our UK based Expat advisery team.
Andrew Moore, whose London based IFA practice we acquired 12 years ago, remains on the board as Compliance and Propositions Director, as does Nigel Speirs, formerly our Non-Exec Director, who takes over from me as Chairman.
Seeing the business pass into the hands of those who care most about it is something I’m proud of.
I will remain on the board as an NED for the next two years and work two days per week with our seven overseas offices, developing our international expat services proposition.
The numerous people in the industry that have helped and encouraged me, through good times and bad are too numerous to mention, but they know who they are and I shall ever be grateful.
Paul D Beard
Founder
The Alexander Beard Group of Companies Ltd.
