The East Midlands corporate team at law firm Shakespeare Martineau supported Adam Price, the founder of financial planning firm Hatch Financial Planning, throughout a multimillion-pound acquisition by Octopus Group.
Hatch, which works with the likes of MoneySuperMarket, Sony Interactive Entertainment, Epson, and Experian in offering affordable expert financial coaching, will shortly rebrand to Octopus Moneycoach. Ambitious plans are in place to grow the business from 30 to 200 employees over the next two years and to bring financial coaching to the mass market, with both AI and human advice services available to customers.
As one of the UK’s fastest growing financial services companies, Octopus’s acquisition of Hatch will enable the business to reach a wider audience, helping even more people to access vital financial services. Partnering with other established financial advice businesses already housed within the Octopus Group, Octopus Moneycoach will focus on offering financial coaching and planning to the employees of businesses who are looking to further support their workforce.
Led by Lincoln-based corporate partner Michael Squirrell, the Shakespeare Martineau team supported Adam Price, the founder and CEO of Hatch, on all legal aspects of the transaction.
Of the transaction, Michael Squirrell, said: “Octopus Group is one of the UK’s fastest-growing companies, unafraid to invest in other entrepreneurially-minded businesses. With Hatch being a leading player in the financial coaching market, the synergies between the businesses are clear and the sale of Hatch proves that there remain plenty of great investment opportunities out there.
“It was a pleasure to act for Adam on the sale, playing our small part in this important step forward on Hatch’s mission. The creation of Octopus Moneycoach to complement Octopus’s existing financial services businesses is the perfect next stage for Hatch.”
Adam Price, founder and CEO of London-based Hatch, said: “There is a misconception that financial services are only for corporate giants and multi-millionaires. Hatch’s goal has always been to change attitudes towards financial planning, making it a simple and affordable process for everyone. Octopus Group shares this vision, having consistently championed financial advice, making it a natural partner for Hatch.
“I am hugely grateful to Michael and the rest of the corporate team at Shakespeare Martineau, whose expertise and guidance made the acquisition as smooth as possible.”
The Shakespeare Martineau team involved in the acquisition comprised Michael Squirrell, Oliver Gutman, Sam Naunton, Oscar Ciaurro and Tait Grundy.
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