Family First Financial Services specialises in helping clients ensure their financial security in the event of unexpected events, planning for retirement, saving and investing, buying or investing in property, as well guidance on a range of insurance needs. The company has earned a strong reputation across all aspects of financial planning, including wills, potential Inheritance Tax liabilities, and the benefits of trust funds.

Thomas Maddison, acquisitions director at Hoxton Capital Management, said: “This acquisition is a strategic fit for Hoxton Wealth, significantly enhancing our presence in the north of the UK and further advancing our goal of delivering lifestyle financial planning at scale throughout the country.

“I want to extend my gratitude to Mark Horner and Ian McFarlane at Family First for their collaboration throughout this process. Their dedication has been instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition.

“Mark will be personally overseeing the handover period, introducing clients to their new Hoxton advisers and ensuring that all necessary steps are taken for a successful integration. His commitment to providing a personal and warm handover will ensure continuity and trust during this transition.”

Hoxton Capital Management now has more than $2.2bn assets under management (AUM). The company, which was founded in the UAE in April 2018 by British expatriate, Chris Ball, formerly of deVere Group, now employs 300 staff worldwide.

The firm said that surpassing the £2bn figure was a defining achievement that reflected the trust and loyalty of its growing client base, whilst serving 7,000 clients across the globe has enabled it to redefine what it means to provide exceptional wealth management.

“This year has been nothing short of transformational,” said managing partner Chris Ball.

“These milestones are not just numbers; they are a reflection of the enduring relationships we’ve built as a company and the impact we’ve made on our clients’ financial journeys.”

Over the course of the year, the firm also hosted 34 impactful events around the world, including 26 informative seminars and eight prestigious sponsored gatherings. These events not only strengthened its connections with clients and partners but also highlighted its position as thought leaders on the international stage.

In addition, Hoxton Wealth completed several significant acquisitions in the UK during 2024, not only expanding its footprint but also welcoming new clients. To support this expansion and solidify its local presence, the firm opened a new office in the UK, further reinforcing its position as a leading force in UK Wealth Management.

The firm’s commitment to excellence was also celebrated on the global stage with eight prestigious international investment awards, highlighting its commitment to innovation, exceptional client service, and industry leadership.

Perhaps its most significant development, though, was its rebrand from Hoxton Capital Management to Hoxton Wealth.

Ball added: “The rebrand was far more than a visual refresh. It symbolised our evolution into a modern, dynamic leader in wealth management. Designed to resonate with our current and future clients, while honouring the core values that have driven our success. It stands as a bold statement of our ambition, growth, and unwavering commitment to shaping the future of financial services.

“With these 2024 achievements, we are well-positioned to embrace the endless possibilities that 2025 holds. Building on a foundation of innovation, excellence, and client trust, we are more committed than ever to empowering our clients and redefining success.”

With more than seven years of experience in financial planning, the last six of which have been in providing wealth and financial advice, in Dubai as partner  with GSB and before that at Acuma in the role of wealth adviser.

He is also an associate member of the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment.

Evans (pictured) said: “I believe Hoxton Wealth’s client-first approach will significantly enhance my ability to build and nurture relationships with my clients,”

“The Hoxton app, along with other cutting-edge tools will encourage clients to engage more actively in their financial planning, allowing them to take more control of their finances. I think our industry can be outdated and sluggish, many clients are left feeling unsatisfied with the advice they receive, as it can lack personalisation to their needs. Hoxton breaks this stereotype by integrating technology into the client experience, ensuring that interactions are not only more efficient but also more meaningful.”

Chris Ball, managing partner at Hoxton Wealth, said: “As a company, first and foremost, we always want to provide clients with the highest levels of service, wherever in the world they happen to be living, and are committed to showing how technology can not only add value to that service but also enhance a person’s ability to plan their financial future. Dewi sees the potential in that and shares our enthusiasm for making it more accessible and we’re really excited to have him on-board.”

This latest  initiative kicks off with a new podcast series: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jmf7ntMkxzI

Hoxton Life aims to provide an insight into life at a high-growth international financial planners, sharing career stories through video interviews with prominent figures from Hoxton Wealth and partners from supporting sectors.

This will include The Pathway an interactive series unique to Hoxton Wealth dedicated to highlighting the six phases of a career in international financial planning starting with no experience to exiting, Pathway will break down the full journey from those that are on it.

Sam Oakes, Hoxton Wealth’s Head of Creative, who founded the popular Financial Planner Life podcast in 2020 will be leading the project.

He said: “We want Hoxton Life to open doors and provide a peek inside life at a hugely successful international wealth management business.

“The profession is aware that it has a talent shortage and attraction problem, Hoxton Life is our contribution to closing the advice and advisor gap. We want to provide a platform where leaders from the industry can inspire people working in it now, but also those currently outside it – who want to get in.

“Younger people want more opportunities – they want to learn about how experienced professionals live and how they do their jobs, Hoxton Life will address that.

“A key feature of Hoxton Life will be The Pathway, a clear-cut career development framework from Hoxton Wealth focusing on the career stories from those already on the journey.

Hoxton Life will also focus on the lives of those supporting planners in areas like marketing and paraplanning business development and tech, addressing the lack of knowledge about the plethora of growing job roles within the profession.

Oakes continued: “The podcast aspect of Hoxton Life will provide viewers with a big-picture view of the other cogs in an international financial planning business. For instance, Alan Turner, Hoxton Wealth’s Group Marketing Director, who has been a key part of the company’s success across the last six years will feature early in the podcast series.

“We will be sharing the story of Mansel Oliver, our Chief Technology Officer, a driving the force behind the development of the Hoxton Wealth app and our transition from being a traditional IFA to a wealth-tech enabled advisory business. We are speaking with para-planners, administrators, the business development team – and hugely experienced professionals from external partners that we work with on a day-to-day basis.”

Hoxton Wealth founder and managing partner, Chris Ball added: “There is plenty of competition in the international financial planning community, so we want Hoxton Life to be transparent and collaborative.

“International planning has in the past been on the peripheral and as a multi-licensed international business with a UK footprint, we hope the Hoxton Life will inspire others to consider an international career.

“Within our team, we have some incredible career stories to tell and we can’t wait to attract more people to the profession, by learning from us.”

The company currently employs more than 260 staff members in offices in the UAE, UK, USA, Australia, South Africa and in Europe.

Managing partner, Chris Ball (pictured) said: “This initiative aligns with our vision to become the market-leading offshore financial advisory company.

“The Hoxton LTIP offers real equity participation and is open to staff of all levels, not just the executive team. The inclusive nature of the plan, coupled with the fact that a payout isn’t solely reliant on a future liquidity event, makes it very attractive – especially given the growth trajectory of the business.”

The introduction of the new plan follows 12 months of rapidly accelerating growth for the company, with it reaching its $2bn AUM milestone and completing four acquisitions so far this year.

Hoxton Wealth further said the move underlined their commitment to maintaining the growth trajectory and competitive edge by incentivising and rewarding all staff for their contributions to company growth.