ValidPath’s client buyout (CBO) programme came about as there are a “lack of options for financial advisers looking into their retirement”.
This is what ValidPath succession development manager Laura Handy told Money Marketing.
The CBO programme was launched in July 2025, as a comprehensive succession and acquisition solution designed to help advisers exit and retire.
It has been developed to help retiring advisers achieve a sale and younger advisers to grow via client-book acquisition.
The ValidPath team manages the transaction process, from feasibility and matchmaking to valuation, due diligence, financing and ongoing deal support.
Buyers are ValidPath members, while sellers can be any adviser – whether a registered individual, appointed representative, or directly authorised firm.
Buyers can gain the opportunity to acquire and service a seller’s client base while retaining 100% ownership of their business.
They commit to a five-year plan that underpins the acquisition financing and can access a marketplace of vetted sellers or prospect their own opportunities.
The programme is managed by Handy.
She added that advisers often struggle to feel confident their clients will be matched with another adviser who is the right fit.
The CBO programme offers the retiring adviser a lot of “hand holding” during the process of retiring and succession.
“We cater for what the individual is looking for in retirement.”
The whole process is supported by ValidPath when advisers wish to sell their business, Handy said.
“We are not looking to control or dictate to people how to sell their business but rather to support them.”
Handy said: “The CBO programme gives advisers peace of mind when retiring.”
ValidPath view the CBO as a unique programme and incredibly relevant as 50% of advisers wish to retire in the next five years.
As advisers are so focused on their clients, they often disregard their own succession plans, Handy added.
To address this, the CBO brings all of the fundamentals of the acquisition together.
