Schroders Sells Benchmark to Söderberg, Sharpens Wealth Focus

Schroders did not disclose the financial terms of the deal. The company said the sale is expected to close in the second half of the year, subject to regulatory approval.

The transaction comes as large asset managers reassess their wealth distribution strategies. Several have pulled back from direct-to-consumer advice in recent years, selling platforms and advisory units to focus on institutional and intermediary channels. Schroders' decision to exit the integrated advice segment aligns with that pattern, though the firm retains a significant presence in wealth via Cazenove and its international network.

For Schroders, the sale frees up capital and management time that can be redirected toward its core asset management business and its higher-margin wealth offerings. The company's shares have lagged the broader UK market this year, under pressure from outflows in its institutional fund arm. Investors may view a sharper focus on wealth as a positive step toward more stable revenue.

Söderberg & Partners will gain a UK foothold and a client base that could serve as a cross-sell channel for its insurance and pension products. The group has grown rapidly through acquisitions in recent years, and Benchmark adds scale in a market where it previously had little presence.

Neither Schroders nor Söderberg & Partners commented further on the strategic rationale beyond the company's brief statement.