Tavistock Investments has reported an operating profit of £1.2m for the year ending March 2021, following a loss of £5.5m the previous year.
Last year the business undertook a reorganisation project, which cost £1.2m, to reduce its overhead costs by £750,000 in a full year.
The project was funded, in part, by a decision to furlough almost one in four employees, lower rents negotiated with landlords and a payment holiday on £1.4m in outstanding debt.
Within its investment business, Tavistock reported funds under management increased for a seventh consecutive year, up 15% year-on-year to £1.2bn.
The sale of Tavistock Wealth, Tavistock's multi-asset manager, to Titan Wealth completed last week (31 August) and will be renamed Titan Asset Management.
Meanwhile, the group's advisory business saw a substantial 508% improvement in adjusted EBITDA performance, from £375,000 in the prior year to £2.28m in the year under review.
Brian Raven (pictured), group chief executive, said: "Our future prospects have been transformed by continued strong financial performance and entry into the strategic partnership with Titan Wealth. The sale of Tavistock Wealth to Titan for up to £40m in cash plus a ten-year earn-out vindicates our belief that the value we have built within the business remains largely unrecognised.
"The transaction proceeds equip us to accelerate the growth of the business, developing a much larger and more profitable distribution and wealth management group, to deliver enhanced value to shareholders."
During the Covid-19 crisis, in order to protect the business each member of the board waived 20% of their salaries during the first quarter of the year and staff were invited to consider making a similar "voluntary sacrifice". The company said it repaid staff in full in February 2021.
The board said that it remains focused on an "accelerated acquisition programme" to deliver a larger group and continued operational improvements.
First published by our sister title Investment Week
