Speechly Bircham is acting as the legal adviser to longstanding client Heartwood Wealth Group, the UK wealth and investment manager, and its shareholders, on its acquisition by listed Swedish bank, Svenska Handelsbanken.

With operations in London and Tunbridge Wells, Heartwood provides wealth and investment management services to private individuals, charities and financial advisers, currently managing approximately £1.5 billion of assets. The acquisition will give Heartwood a significant platform to grow its wealth and investment management business. Heartwood was originally founded in 1988 as a joint venture with law firm Cripps Harries Hall and was rebranded in 2006 following a management buyout.

Completion of the transaction is subject to a number of regulatory and shareholder conditions, including the formal approval of the UK and Swedish financial regulators.

Speechly Bircham LLP has acted for Heartwood since 2005 and worked alongside Spencer House Partners who provided corporate finance advice to Heartwood.

The Speechlys team included lead partner Nick Janmohamed, partner James Carter (corporate tax), senior assistant David Hicks (corporate), Richard Coleman (corporate), Tom Dupernex (regulatory) and Robert Birchall (corporate tax).

http://www.speechlys.com/news/news/current-news/2013/02/speechly-bircha…