Sesame Bankhall Group (SBG) has appointed David Wright as M&A director to lead a new exit consulting proposition designed to support directly authorised firms through the business sale process.

Wright (pictured) joins from global reinsurance firm Compre Group, where he was senior M&A associate.

He previously held M&A roles at One Four Nine Group and spent four years at Ernst & Young. At SBG, he will report to Claire Cherrington, director of PMS and Bankhall.

The new service, due to launch later this month, will focus initially on the wealth sector, where SBG sees growing demand among advice firms for structured succession planning.

The proposition aims to guide IFA business owners through every stage of their exit – from preparing the business for sale to identifying the most suitable buyers.

The proposition is distinctive in offering seller-side representation, a model SBG believes sets it apart in a consolidating market.

Cherrington said: “We’re delighted to welcome David. He brings a wealth of experience in M&A, succession planning, and financial services and joins our team as we prepare to launch a brand-new service for firms thinking about a potential exit.

“Our new exit consulting proposition is designed to support IFA business owners who are considering a sale – whether that’s in the next 12 months or five years away. David will be working side-by-side with firms, helping them get sale-ready, grow the right way, and maximise their business value.”

The proposition is being launched at a time of continued consolidation in the sector. According to Financial Conduct Authority figures, the number of firms authorised to provide retail investment advice fell from 5,805 in February 2024 to 5,473 in February 2025 – a 6% drop – as many smaller firms opted to join larger networks or pursued strategic exits.

Wright said: “It’s a great time to be joining SBG as the business expands its support for directly authorised firms. There’s huge demand from both buyers and sellers – but many IFA firms aren’t prepared for a sale, which can limit their value and options.

“Our exit consulting proposition is different because we’ll be working directly with sellers – helping them maximise the value of their business through a targeted action plan focusing on areas such as profitability, quality of data and compliance – before ultimately presenting a business that’s attractive and aligned to the right buyer.”

SBG said its extensive directly authorised client base through PMS Mortgage Club and Bankhall puts it in a strong position to offer strategic guidance to firms planning their exit.