'Staying true to our roots as a locally owned firm': Northern Ireland business advisory firm posts 88% growth and set sights on £1 billion milestone

Belfast’s wealth management and business advisory firm Pacem Advisory has set its sights on reaching £1 billion in client assets under management by 2032, positioning itself among Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing advisory businesses.

The privately owned firm, which provides integrated wealth management, accounting and tax advisory services has recorded exceptional growth over the past three years, with client assets under management increasing 87.6% from £113 million to £212 million, equivalent to annual growth of 23.3%.

Managing director Daniel Glover said: “Our continued strong performance significantly outpaces the wider wealth management sector, which typically grows at below 10% annually. Our growth reflects a very deliberate focus on client outcomes, coordinated advice and staying true to our roots as a locally owned firm.”

Founded in 2017, Pacem was established to help high net worth families, affluent retirees and entrepreneurial business owners gain clarity across both personal and business finances. In recent years the firm has expanded to bring strategic wealth management, accounting and tax advice together under one roof as the directors recognised that clients increasingly value working with advisers who are focused on long-term relationships rather than short-term shareholder returns.

The firm’s expansion has been driven primarily by referrals, with 80% to 85% of new business coming from existing clients. The remaining growth has come through professional partners across Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland, supporting clients with increasingly complex cross-border needs.

Recent UK tax changes, including Labour’s budget adjustments, have further increased demand for sophisticated tax planning and estate management advice.

Daniel continued: “With ongoing economic uncertainty and tax reform, clients are seeking joined-up advice more than ever. They want a single, trusted adviser who understands the full picture across their wealth, business interests and long-term family plans.”

To support its growth, Pacem has invested heavily in its people and infrastructure, increasing annual team costs by £460,000, recruiting senior talent from across the profession, completing a premium, Belfast city centre office fit-out and refreshing its brand identity and website.

The firm currently employs 28 people and plans to grow headcount to 45 within three years, with particular focus on expanding its senior business advisory and financial planning teams, alongside specialist roles in data and automation.

Looking ahead, Pacem is investing more than £200,000 in technology over the next 18 months, including the development of its own investment platform.

Daniel added: “The ultimate aim is to streamline operations while enhancing client relationships. Technology should free our advisers to spend more time with clients, not replace those interactions.”

Pacem also plans to open a Dublin office to support its growing Republic of Ireland client base, as cross-border tax, investment and pension complexity becomes an increasingly important growth area.

Beyond commercial objectives, the firm has established four Impact Pillars; Planet & Environment, Charity & Community, Empowering Enterprise, and People & Wellbeing and aims to establish a charitable trust in the medium term that will annually contribute a portion of profits to good causes.

With a three-year target of £300 million in assets under management by 2027 already on track, Pacem’s continued investment in people, technology and geographic reach is positioning the firm as one of Northern Ireland’s leading privately owned wealth management and business advisory firms.