Brian Swanson
M&A Strategist & IFA Exit Advisor
Brian Swanson is a leading M&A strategist specialising in helping IFA principals design and execute optimal exits. With extensive experience advising UK and European financial services businesses, Brian brings unparalleled expertise to succession planning and business valuations.
Rather than guiding clients toward a predetermined deal, Brian helps IFA principals understand their full range of strategic options—including growth capital structures, phased exits, succession-led transitions, and clean sales. In 2024 alone, he led and closed over £500m of IFA firm acquisitions, with a focus on protecting long-term client outcomes alongside seller value.
Core Expertise:
- - M&A Strategy & Exit Design: Helping IFA principals engineer exits aligned with their personal and financial objectives
- - Business Valuation & Structure: Expert guidance on valuation, deal structure, risk management, and buyer selection
- - Broad Buyer Panel Access: Direct relationships with a diverse range of acquirers with different capital structures and cultures
- - Post-Deal Planning: Supporting advisers in designing life after completion, including phased transitions and retained influence
Professional Background:
Founder & Director of Acquisitions with 20+ years of commercial leadership across sales, operations, and business development in complex, regulated environments. His experience includes:
- ● Regional leadership managing 100+ staff and £350m+ in business across international markets
- ● Strategic account management for enterprise-scale organizations
- ● Building and scaling acquisition strategies for IFA firms
- ● 16+ years in senior operational roles in the Royal Air Force, developing disciplined, outcome-focused leadership
Education: BSc Psychology (University of Glasgow), CISI Qualified
His Philosophy:
"Most IFA principals enter the M&A market believing they are choosing a buyer. In reality, they are choosing a future often without seeing all the options available to them. The biggest risk isn't timing—it's lack of optionality."
Brian works with IFA owners to design outcomes first, then select the right buyer and structure to support those outcomes. Whether you're staying in the business, executing a phased exit, retaining influence over client succession, or completing a clean sale on your own terms—Brian helps you understand all viable options and choose deliberately.