Liontrust Asset Management has announced that it has entered into an agreement to acquire River Global for an all-share consideration of £7.6m.

Liontrust said the deal will further expand its investment talent by bringing in experienced managers and proven processes.

Furthermore, River Global is set to provide complementary capabilities, investment styles and products, including value strategies, to meet client demand and extend sources of performance through the market cycle.

River Global’s assets under management and advice (AuMA) stood at £2.7bn on 27 February 2026, and the addition of this to Liontrust’s AuMA will take pro forma AuMA to £24.4bn.

Following the announcement, shares in Liontrust increased by over 5%, while River Global shares jumped by over 25%.

Chief executive officer at Liontrust, John Ions, described the acquisition as an "important step forward for the firm".

He added: "River Global's investment capabilities are complementary to Liontrust's established processes and funds and combining them will create a stronger and broader platform for future growth. The enlarged business will diversify products, performance and the client base.

"River Global fund managers will benefit from Liontrust's brand and distribution that will provide them with a broader route to market both in the UK and internationally. Clients will benefit from Liontrust's market-leading service and the investment we have made in recent years in our operating model to ensure the integration is as smooth and quick as possible."

Executive chair at River Global, Martin Gilbert, concluded: "River Global and Liontrust are two highly complementary businesses and it makes perfect sense to bring them together.

"River Global and its shareholders, clients and people will benefit immediately from becoming part of a wider group, with powerful distribution and marketing resources that will accelerate the inflows we are seeing into our funds as well as broader all-round growth opportunities.

"Shareholders will benefit from the significant synergies this deal brings while our talented managers will fit well within Liontrust's wider team."

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