# Wealthspire's Ground Control adds London firm with over $1 billion in assets under management and administration URL: https://www.financialadvsr.com/article/wealthspires-ground-control-adds-london-firm-with-over-1-billion-in-assets-b392da Published: October 20, 2026 By: Vivian Cole, Deals Correspondent Section: Deals Publisher: Financial ADVSR (https://www.financialadvsr.com) WealthManagement.com reported on Oct. 20, 2026 that Wealthspire's Ground Control Business Management division has acquired Atlantic Swiss, a private wealth manager based in London. Wealthspire's own Business Wire announcement of the same date says the firm has more than $1 billion (£800 million) in assets under management and administration. That figure combines investment assets with administration, so it should not be read as assets under management alone. Wealthspire is the buyer. The sources reviewed do not disclose a purchase price. Berkshire Global Advisors acted as exclusive advisor to Wealthspire on the deal, according to the release. Craig Bell, the founder, will remain in the role of president, according to the release. The business employs more than 20 people, eight of them advisors. Nick Parkinson, president of Ground Control's U.K. division, will support the team. Wealthspire CEO Mike LaMena said the firm's clients will get direct service and expanded backing as the business expands. The timing needs care. FA Magazine reported, citing the press release, that the deal closed on Oct. 1, which is earlier than the Oct. 20 announcement date. The sources reviewed do not resolve that gap, so the closing date should be treated as unconfirmed. According to the release, the firm's client base is concentrated in the U.K. and Western Europe and includes figures in film, TV, sports, music and fashion. Its family CFO model combines financial planning with investment management. A UK directory, Unbiased, lists Atlantic Swiss as an FCA-authorised financial adviser. Another directory, topadvisers.co.uk, gives a Camden address that conflicts with the High Holborn address in Unbiased, so the firm's precise location remains unverified beyond London. Wealthspire is a New York City-based RIA. InvestmentNews reported that the firm says it manages or advises about $660 billion, according to its website. That is assets under management and advisement, not revenue. When the combined platform relaunched, PlanSponsor reported more than $580 billion in such assets as of June 30, 2025, and more than 1,200 employees across more than 40 offices. The firm's roots go back to the 2019 acquisition of RIA Bronfman Rothschild by NFP-owned Sontag Advisory, according to AdvisorHub. Chicago-based private equity firm Madison Dearborn Partners later completed its purchase of five NFP businesses from Aon. A PR Newswire release tied to Aon's sale of the businesses put the purchase price at an estimated $2.7 billion, and those businesses generated about $127 million in EBITDA for the 12 months to June 30, 2025, which is earnings rather than revenue. The Atlantic Swiss deal extends a sports and entertainment strategy. Wealthspire launched its Sports & Entertainment practice on Oct. 6, 2026 with about $2.88 billion in AUM and more than 200 clients, led by Frank Marzano, according to the firm. FA Magazine reported that the practice sits within Wealthspire Family Office, a unit that began in early 2026 holding close to $50 billion in AUM and more than 300 families. InvestmentNews reported that Ground Control previously acquired Arena Wealth, a U.K. business management firm focused on professional golfers with 15 employees, and Wiles + Taylor, a Nashville practice serving music clients. InvestmentNews also described Atlantic Swiss as Ground Control's third overseas deal in roughly two years. Connect Money noted that rival RIA Americana Partners launched a similar sports and entertainment division in July. Wealthspire said Atlantic Swiss clients will be served directly as the business grows. The sources reviewed do not describe further integration steps, staffing changes or plans for the Atlantic Swiss brand. Key facts: - Atlantic Swiss has more than $1 billion (£800 million) in assets under management and administration, according to Wealthspire's Business Wire release dated Oct. 20, 2026. - The firm has more than 20 employees, including eight advisors, according to the release. - Founder Craig Bell stays on as president. - Berkshire Global Advisors was exclusive advisor to Wealthspire on the deal. - No purchase price was disclosed in the sources reviewed. Why it matters: Acquisitions of niche wealth managers by large RIAs, especially cross-border ones, show how buyers are using specialist verticals to win clients with unusual income patterns and complex affairs. For advisors and team leaders, the deal is a reminder that founder retention and direct client service are the terms acquirers tend to emphasise when they combine practices. Firm leaders weighing similar moves should watch how these verticals are staffed and how much of the target's practice is retained once integration begins. Sources: - WealthManagement.com: https://www.wealthmanagement.com/ria-news/ground-control-acquires-atlantic-swift-wealth-firm - financialcontent.com: https://www.financialcontent.com/article/bizwire-2026-10-20-wealthspires-ground-control-business-management-acquires-london-based-atlantic-swiss - fa-mag.com: https://www.fa-mag.com/news/wealthspire-s-ground-control-unit-buys--1b-aum-atlantic-swiss-88884.html - investmentnews.com: https://www.investmentnews.com/ria-news/ria-moves-beacon-pointe-makes-deal-hat-trick-adding-135-billion/268666 - tracxn.com: https://tracxn.com/d/acquisitions/acquisitions-by-wealthspire/__OZJj3Tyd1eHzw5uZq38xiJqe-vcwRCmZSVfHjDYdagc - investmentnews.com: https://www.investmentnews.com/ria-news/wealthspires-ground-control-targets-uk-golf-market-with-arena-wealth-deal/266832