Summit Group

Summit Group is a leading independent fiduciary and administrative services group. They specialise in providing tailored solutions that help their clients grow, protect and pass on their wealth and navigate an increasingly complex world. Sovereign has been supporting the business since 2020 through a strategy of Buy & Build to expand Summit Group’s range of services and geographical footprint.

Investment Background

Sovereign first became involved in what is now known as Summit Group in December 2020 when it backed the MBO of Aquitaine Group Ltd, a Guernsey-based private client trust and corporate services provider.

Aquitaine was established in 2008 and quickly built up a strong reputation for providing fiduciary and corporate services to ultra-high-net-worth individuals. This is a highly fragmented market, and both Aquitaine’s management team and Sovereign identified a significant opportunity to establish a leading multi-jurisdictional fiduciary business.

Using the resources and expertise of our specialist research team, we searched the market for acquisition opportunities. We identified Summit Trust International as a leading name in the sector to join forces with, and added Federal Trust to consolidate Aquitaine’s position in Guernsey. Both joined the group in 2021.

Value Creation

Expanded the Group's range of services and global footprint by joining forces with Summit Trust International
Appointed a new CEO, Matt Claxton, former Global Head of Corporate and Private Client Solutions at Apex Group, to succeed founder Adrian Pickering
Recruited Andrew Fisher, former CEO of Coutts & Co and CEO of Towry Group, as Non-Executive Chair
Further strengthened the management team with the hire of a CFO, CTO and CRO
Invested in new technology to enhance Summit Group's capability to work with multi-jurisdictional clients
Supported the creation of a new corporate brand and identity

The Story So Far

The combination of Aquitaine, Federal and Summit Trust International has expanded the reach of Summit Group to serve their target client segment in key locations around the world. Today, Summit Group has offices in Guernsey, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the Cayman Islands, with plans to expand into other key jurisdictions.

The management team has been augmented with the appointment of a new Non-Executive Chair, Group CFO, CTO and CRO, and, most recently, a new CEO. Sovereign was instrumental in formulating and executing the succession plan which saw founder CEO, Adrian Pickering, take up a Non-Executive Director role. Matt Claxton, former Global Head of Corporate and Private Clients Solutions at Apex Group, and CEO of Corporate and Private Clients at Link Asset Services and Capita, was named as the new CEO in November 2022.

As well as a significant investment into a new company-wide software system to further develop its ability to work with clients across the world, Sovereign has also supported the launch of a new group identity. Aquitaine and Summit International Trust will continue to operate as usual, now working under the new corporate brand of Summit Group.

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In their own words

Sovereign is a very supportive partner. We have a close relationship that is based on shared values and a genuine partnership. Sovereign’s continued investment will enable Summit Group to achieve its ambition of becoming one of the leading fiduciary businesses, via expansion into new jurisdictions and continued investment in systems and organisational capability.

Matt Claxton / Group CEO