m&a

Lazard UK Omega manager Alan Custis is backing the acquisitive Man Group to pursue further M&A activity as it continues to diversify away from its quant strategies.

Wealth manager European Wealth has completed the £3m acquisition of IFA business ISM Solutions it announced in its annual results in May.

Walker Crips is planning for further expansion by seeking out employees at rival firms who are "disenchanted" by industry merger and acquisition activity.

UK equity managers Simon Brazier and Clive Beagles have turned more positive on Vodafone, snapping up shares in the company three years after they both cautioned about the telecom's prospects.

Mattioli Woods is to acquire advice firm Boyd Coughlan in a £7m deal and has also announced plans to raise a more than £18m from shareholders to fund further growth.

Consolidator Bellpenny has completed two more IFA acquisitions bringing an additional £56m in funds under management and more than 250 clients.

Sanlam UK has acquired Caerus Portfolio Management as part of a deal which will see it take a 20% stake in the Caerus adviser network.

Odey Asset Management has blasted a bid for trading platform Plus500, the second largest holding on James Hanbury's CF Odey Absolute Return fund, calling the move "opportunistic".

Investment trust Caledonia Investments is close to agreeing a deal to purchase a stake in Seven Investment Management, according to reports.

Henderson Global Investors has made a trio of acquisitions in Australia which will add £5.7bn to its assets under management across fixed income, equities and commodities.