TrinityBridge, newly independent from Close Brothers and backed by Oaktree Capital, has appointed industry veteran Nigel Stockton as CEO to build on recent expansion and a £35 million technology upgrade programme.
TrinityBridge, the financial planning and wealth management firm formerly known as Close Brothers Asset Management, has announced the appointment of Nigel Stockton as its new CEO, subject to regulatory approval. Stockton is set to take over from Eddie Reynolds, who will step down in September after three and a half years at the helm. The leadership change comes as the company continues to evolve under new ownership and rebranding efforts.
Nigel Stockton brings extensive experience to TrinityBridge, having previously served as CEO of Ascot Lloyd for eight years. During his tenure, Stockton oversaw significant expansion including 80 acquisitions, and spearheaded the firm’s rebranding from Bellpenny to Ascot Lloyd in 2017. Stockton commented on his appointment, emphasising his commitment to the existing strategy and the prioritisation of high-quality financial planning alongside bespoke investment management, with a clear focus on client relationships at the core of the firm’s mission.
Eddie Reynolds leaves a legacy of substantial growth, having taken charge in March 2022. Under his leadership, TrinityBridge expanded its total assets under management from £16 billion to £21 billion and opened five new offices across the UK. He also played a pivotal role in the firm’s recent relocation to a new headquarters in Marylebone, due for completion in the autumn, and led the acquisition of IFA firm Bottriell Adams LPP in 2023. Notably, Reynolds navigated TrinityBridge through its transition from Close Brothers Group ownership to operating as a standalone wealth management business after its acquisition by private equity firm Oaktree Capital Management for £200 million in September 2024.
The firm’s rebranding to TrinityBridge in March 2025 symbolises the “enduring relationships” between clients, investment managers, and professional advisers and underscores its focus on strength and longevity. Operating from multiple UK locations, including London, Birmingham, Bristol, and Edinburgh, TrinityBridge now also has an expanding presence that includes a recently opened office in Guildford, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to regional growth and personalised client service.
TrinityBridge is concurrently investing heavily in its technological infrastructure through a £35 million programme aimed at upgrading its investment platform and operational capabilities. Partnerships with prominent providers such as SEI, Objectway, Winterflood Business Services, Snowflake, and Microsoft Azure are central to this initiative, enhancing data management, portfolio oversight, and order execution processes, which will support the firm’s growth ambitions and improve client service quality.
The acquisition by Oaktree Capital Management, a global investment firm with £160 billion in assets under management, marks a significant shift for TrinityBridge. Since the deal’s completion in early 2025, the firm has been positioned as an independent and autonomously run wealth management entity. This separation from Close Brothers Group is expected to accelerate TrinityBridge’s strategic growth, leveraging Oaktree’s global resources while maintaining a distinctly client-focused approach.
Looking ahead, the firm appears well-positioned for continued expansion and innovation under Stockton’s leadership, building on the solid foundation laid by Reynolds and the strategic investments now underway.
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Source: Noah Wire Services
- https://www.financialplanningtoday.co.uk/news/trinitybridge-appoints-veteran-financial-planner-as-ceo – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.financialplanningtoday.co.uk/news/trinitybridge-appoints-veteran-financial-planner-as-ceo – TrinityBridge, formerly known as Close Brothers Asset Management, has appointed veteran Financial Planner Nigel Stockton as CEO, subject to regulatory approval. Stockton replaces Eddie Reynolds, who will step down in September after three and a half years in charge. Stockton previously served as CEO of Ascot Lloyd for eight years, overseeing substantial growth, including 80 acquisitions. Under Reynolds’ leadership, TrinityBridge expanded its managed assets from £16bn to £21bn and opened five new offices across the UK. The firm rebranded to TrinityBridge in March after being acquired by Oaktree Capital Management for £200m.
- https://www.ftadviser.com/mergers-acquisitions/2025/3/3/close-brothers-becomes-independent-wealth-management-firm-after-oaktree-deal/ – Close Brothers Asset Management has become an independent wealth management firm following its sale to Oaktree Capital Management. The deal, completed on March 3, 2025, enables the firm to accelerate its growth strategy. The business will continue to trade as CBAM for a short period, with a new name expected to be announced. CEO Eddy Reynolds will continue to lead the business, aiming to become the leading premium wealth manager in the UK for both clients and colleagues.
- https://www.cityam.com/close-brothers-completes-sale-of-asset-management-arm-to-oaktree/ – Close Brothers has completed the sale of its asset management arm, Close Brothers Asset Management (CBAM), to Oaktree Capital Management. The transaction, finalised on February 28, 2025, is expected to bolster the bank’s capital ratio. Close Brothers received an upfront cash consideration of £146m, alongside contingent deferred consideration valued at around £21m in preference shares. The deal was first announced in September 2024 as part of a series of moves to bolster the bank’s balance sheet.
- https://www.trinitybridge.com/insights/renaming-marks-a-new-chapter – Close Brothers Asset Management has rebranded as TrinityBridge following its sale by Close Brothers Group. The new name reflects the enduring relationships between clients, investment managers, and professional advisers, symbolising strong connections and longevity. CEO Eddy Reynolds expressed excitement for the future as a standalone business and highlighted the firm’s growth through acquisitions and welcoming high-calibre wealth management professionals. The company plans to accelerate its investment programme and continue to grow.
- https://www.wealthinvestmentnews.co.uk/TrinityBridge-announces-35m-technology-investment-programme.php – TrinityBridge, formerly known as Close Brothers Asset Management, has announced a £35m investment programme to upgrade its technology and operations infrastructure. The central focus is the development of a new investment platform, achieved through strategic partnerships with industry-leading firms. The firm is partnering with SEI to adopt the SEI Wealth Platform and SEI Data Cloud, implementing Objectway’s Portfolio Management Solution, and outsourcing order execution activities to Winterflood Business Services. Additionally, TrinityBridge is partnering with Snowflake and adopting Microsoft Azure to strengthen its platform solution.
- https://www.wealthinvestmentnews.co.uk/Wealth-manager-TrinityBridge-opens-new-UK-office.php – Wealth management firm TrinityBridge has opened a new office in Guildford, aiming to expand its regional presence and client base. The office, located in the Bottle Works development in central Guildford, is fully operational and will be home to 11 TrinityBridge employees, including senior investment directors. The opening highlights the firm’s commitment to regional expansion and strengthens its presence in the south of England, providing localised, personal support to clients in the area.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
8
Notes:
The narrative is recent, with the announcement made on June 24, 2025. The earliest known publication date of similar content is March 3, 2025, when Close Brothers Asset Management became an independent wealth management firm following its sale to Oaktree Capital Management. ([ftadviser.com](https://www.ftadviser.com/mergers-acquisitions/2025/3/3/close-brothers-becomes-independent-wealth-management-firm-after-oaktree-deal/?utm_source=openai)) The rebranding to TrinityBridge was announced on March 7, 2025. ([trinitybridge.com](https://www.trinitybridge.com/insights/renaming-marks-a-new-chapter?utm_source=openai)) The appointment of Nigel Stockton as CEO was reported on June 24, 2025. There is no evidence of recycled content or clickbait tactics. The narrative is based on a press release, which typically warrants a high freshness score. No discrepancies in figures, dates, or quotes were found. The content is original and timely.
Quotes check
Score:
10
Notes:
The direct quotes from Nigel Stockton and Eddie Reynolds in the narrative are unique to this report. No identical quotes appear in earlier material, indicating original content. The wording matches the original sources without variations. No online matches were found for these quotes, suggesting exclusivity.
Source reliability
Score:
9
Notes:
The narrative originates from Financial Planning Today, a reputable UK-based publication specialising in financial planning news. The report is well-sourced, referencing official press releases and statements from the involved parties. The publication has a history of accurate reporting in the financial sector.
Plausability check
Score:
9
Notes:
The claims in the narrative are plausible and consistent with known events. The appointment of Nigel Stockton as CEO aligns with the company’s recent rebranding and strategic direction. The narrative includes specific details about Stockton’s previous role at Ascot Lloyd and the company’s expansion under his leadership. The tone and language are consistent with corporate communications in the financial sector. No inconsistencies or suspicious elements were identified.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): PASS
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): HIGH
Summary:
The narrative is recent, original, and sourced from a reputable publication. The quotes are unique and the claims are plausible, with no discrepancies or suspicious elements identified. The content is consistent with known events and corporate communications in the financial sector.
