WEALTH at work has made its first strategic acquisition following the recent investment from private equity house Equistone Partners Europe.

WEALTH at work, itself a provider of financial education, guidance and advice in the workplace, has acquired a direct competitor Life Academy, the education and employee engagement programme provider based in Newport, Wales.

The acquisition sees WEALTH at work increasing its footprint in the market at a time when demand is increasing significantly due to the recent pension changes, which is driving organisations to provide comprehensive pre and at retirement financial education and advice for their employees.

Under the leadership of Greg Thorley and Richard Ayers, Life Academy has become a highly respected provider of financial education trading with over 50 companies in both the private and public sectors. This includes the provision of both face-to-face and online financial education tools.

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WEALTH at work CEO David Cassidy said he was pleased that “Greg, Richard and the Life Academy team have agreed to become part of WEALTH at work”.

“Both companies have many similarities from a financial education perspective in terms of their service offering so as one organisation we can continue to build and develop the services our clients need,” he continued.

“Since the pension changes, there has been an increased demand in the number of employers who want to provide t financial education in the workplace supported by individual guidance and regulated advice. Life Academy clients can now benefit from these additional services and WEALTH at work now has extra capacity to meet the increasing demand.”

Greg Thorley, director at Life Academy, added that “both companies provide financial education in the workplace”.

“But this partnership will allow us to deliver the full end-to end journey for employees, enabling them to take control of their finances, especially at-retirement, at a time when it has never been so important,’ he continued.

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