September 2025, Acquisition International | 9 Independence is Everything™ at Financial Adviser Network ValidPath stablished in 2002, ValidPath has over 20 years of experience supporting Independent Financial Advisers (IFAs) and IFA businesses across the UK. As an FCA-regulated network, ValidPath provides the essential infrastructure and services that enables hundreds of businesses to operate and thrive across the UK. Managing Director Angus MacNee shared: “We support IFA businesses at every stage of their journey, whether they’re starting out, exploring a switch from direct regulatory authorisation or another network, or planning their exit. Our proposition combines a strong regulatory and technology-enabled framework with practical support across compliance, business development and operations, and provides the independence for advisers to run their businesses their way and in their client’s best interest.” Built on a foundation of independence, community values and a clientcentric approach, the ValidPath proposition is Member-focused in-that what matters to ValidPath is what it enables for others. MacNee added: “The success of ValidPath is a reflection of the success of our Member firms and what they achieve for their clients.” ValidPath has an unwavering commitment to authentic independent financial advice and is provider and product agnostic with over 450 agency relationships. The proposition encompasses multiple Financial Conduct Authority regulatory authorisations covering financial advice and Account Information Services (i.e. Open Banking) in addition to captive insurance via a Guernsey Financial Services Commission authorisation providing long-term PII stability. “In addition to a scalable regulatory compliance framework, we have a dedicated compliance support team comprising ex-IFAs and paraplanners to help our Members navigate regulatory requirements and best-practice in a practical and efficient way,” MacNee said. Technology and artificial intelligence are also a key part of the proposition and fundamentals of ValidPath and its parent group Rimbal. “Our proprietary systems are part of delivering more value over time at lower cost so we can continue to service IFAs into the future as the world transitions from human-driven workflows to AI-driven services and agentic ecosystems,” MacNee said. “We are investing in technology and AI systems to support adviser efficiency and the future of financial advice.” The ValidPath network offers a modern proposition and access to a dynamic community of business owners and IFAs with shared values about the importance of independent financial advice. “A sense of common values is a key part of ValidPath, and we look to support Members across their entire business lifecycle,” MacNee added. “At ValidPath, our mission is to support Independent Financial Advisers to operate and thrive, now and into the future. It is for that reason that we aim to deliver more value over time at lower cost by investing in technology, AI, people and our community of Independent Financial Advisers. ” 97% of ValidPath Members feel they have the freedom to operate independently, and 94% would recommend ValidPath. ValidPath also has an award-winning succession and growth programme enabling IFAs to sell their IFA business or client-book with confidence, knowing their clients will continue to receive independent financial advice. MacNee reflected on the progress of ValidPath, and what is in store for the future: “Over the past year, we’ve expanded our succession and growth programme by launching the Client Buyout (CBO) Programme, a comprehensive succession and acquisition solution designed to help individual advisers exit and retire and the next generation grow by clientbook acquisition. The is a solution that has significant demand from older and younger advisers alike, and that is already having tremendous impact on those seeking to retire or grow. Looking ahead, our focus is on continuing to pioneer the future of independent financial advice, and investing in our technology, AI systems, people and our community of IFAs to deliver more value over time at lower cost and increase the positive impact for Members and their clients. With its modern and values-led proposition and strong IFA endorsement, it is clear why ValidPath has been named Best Independent Financial Adviser Network 2025 by Acquisition International, and why its business continues to thrive while staying true to its mission. Contact: Richard Phillips Company: ValidPath Website: https://validpath.co.uk/ Named Best Independent Financial Adviser Network 2025 – UK, ValidPath enables IFA businesses to operate and thrive across the UK. Angus MacNee, Managing Director, was on hand to tell us more about ValidPath and its proposition for IFAs. E
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