Independent UK law firm Burges Salmon has advised AIM-listed Fintel Plc, the UK’s leading provider of fintech and support services to the UK retail financial services sector, on its acquisition of Rayner Spencer Mills Research Limited (RSMR), one of the most recognised fund ratings and research agencies in the UK.
The acquisition further extends Fintel’s fund research and ratings capabilities for financial services and investment professionals and aligns with Fintel's strategy to expand into adjacent markets, adding scale, IP and quality data sets to help the market understand and improve the suitability of financial products. RSMR will be the ninth business acquired by Fintel over the past twelve months, joining AKG, VouchedFor, Competent Adviser, Micap, Synaptic, Owen James, ifaDASH and threesixty on its expanded service and technology platform. The acquisition is expected to complete in the coming months, subject to regulatory approval.
The Burges Salmon team advising Fintel was led by partner Mark Shepherd and senior associate Briony Barber from the firm’s Corporate and M&A team. Mark comments: “It's been a genuine pleasure to support Fintel on this strategically important acquisition, adding industry expertise, insights and data to its fast-growing portfolio. The Fintel team’s deal experience shone through in their pragmatic and collaborative approach to this complex transaction, keeping their eye very much on the additive value of RSMR to the Fintel offering. We look forward keenly to watching the combined businesses thrive.”
John Milliken, CEO of Defaqto, adds: "We’ve worked with RSMR for a long time and hugely admire their research methodology, independence and dedication to the market. Their history, pedigree and ambition will add significantly to our business. We’re grateful to Mark, Briony and the rest of the team at Burges Salmon for their excellent counsel throughout the transaction, they led us through the complexities with ease and clarity.”
Burges Salmon has a strong Corporate practice in the UK advising clients across a broad range of sectors, including financial services. The firm acts for multi-national organisations and institutions, entrepreneurial businesses and high net worth individuals and their families.