Business Breakfast: Company acquires stake in Harrogate-based wealth management company

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Benchmark Capital has acquired a majority stake in a Harrogate-based financial and wealth management company.

The Horsham firm has confirmed an agreement is in place for a 51% shareholding in Oculus Wealth Management, subject to approval from the Financial Conduct Authority.

Oculus, which is based on Grove Park Court, offers financial planning and wealth management advice to business owners, professionals and the retired.

The acquisition of the company, an existing Benchmark partner which looks after £2 billion of client assets, will provide Benchmark with a broader range of services.

Ed Dymott, managing director at Benchmark, said:

“We are thrilled to welcome Oculus to Benchmark and provide the support to allow further growth and progression for an already highly successful business. Oculus have been incredibly successful in helping advisers who have previously worked at larger wealth managers and private banks set up their own practices, and we see this as a key growth area in the market.

“Their business-in-a-box model, bringing together Benchmark’s and Oculus services, is a compelling proposition, and we have seen great demand for this offering.

“We have known the team for several years and are excited by the potential for the future with our new partnership.”

Harrogate company customers win awards

A Harrogate-based website company is celebrating after 11 of its customers picked up awards.

Garages Services Online, which is based on Hornbeam Park, builds sites for independent garages as part of a subscription service.

This past year, the company has seen its customers win at the national Top Garage and Top Technician Awards.

Across all seven categories, the company celebrated four of its independent garage customers being category winners, one being a runner-up and one being a finalist.

Meanwhile, five other customers won their respective categories in the Motor Ombudsman Star Awards, Servicesure Awards and GroupAuto Awards.

Among the winners include Shaikly Motor Company in Colchester and Hunters of Linlithgow.

Jim Lang, managing director of Garages Services Online, said:

“We’re incredibly proud to be the company behind the online presence of these 11 award-winning garages.

“They’re all thoroughly deserving of their accolades and have worked incredibly hard to get to this level. A common factor is they all have one of our websites; I’d like to think it’s not just a coincidence.”

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