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2 December 2021 NOT FOR RELEASE , PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION , IN WHOLE OR IN PART , IN , INTO , OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OF THAT JURISDICTION THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE abrdn plc ( " abrdn " ) Proposed acquisition of interactive investor Limited abrdn announces plans to acquire 100 per cent . of the UK's leading subscription - based investment platform interactive investor for £ 1.49 billion . abrdn and interactive investor have a shared vision of the growth and development of the wealth market and a commitment to being the customer champion . This acquisition will significantly enhance our presence and growth opportunities within a fast - growing and attractive market . Stephen Bird , Chief Executive Officer of abrdn plc commented : " This is a unique opportunity and a transformative step in delivering our growth strategy . interactive investor is the UK's number one subscription - based investing platform with a powerful reputation as a consumer champion . abrdn's scale , resources , and shared vision will enable interactive investor to grow confidently and expand its leadership position in the UK's attractive savings and wealth market . I am delighted that Richard Wilson and his team will continue to lead interactive investor . Richard Wilson , Chief Executive Officer of interactive investor Limited commented : " This is an exciting new chapter in our history and means that we can focus exclusively on serving those who matter most : our customers . We will have access to abrdn's additional capabilities across research , advice and wealth management services , and we will benefit from being part of one of Europe's largest investment and wealth management firms , with a vision and values closely aligned to our own . Our management will remain the same , and the same extraordinary team will continually develop our service and technology , while maintaining our subscription pricing , our whole of market choice and the same campaigning spirit and editorial independence . " • abrdn has agreed to acquire 100 per cent . of the ordinary share capital of the holding company of interactive investor Limited ( “ interactive investor " ) from its shareholders , including J.C. Flowers IV L.P. ( a fund advised by J.C. Flowers & Co. ) and key members of interactive investor's management , for total consideration of £ 1.49 billion . • Completion of the Acquisition is subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions including regulatory consents and abrdn Shareholder approval . interactive investor is the leading subscription - based platform² within the high - growth UK direct investing market , with over 400,000 customers ³ and AUA of approximately £ 55 billion . The UK direct investing market benefits from accelerating demographic and structural market trends . In combination , the high - tech , high - touch models of interactive investor and abrdn can 1 Subject to a locked box adjustment and a regulatory capital adjustment 2 Second largest direct investing platform by AUA , as at 30 June 2021 3 ' As at 30 June 2021 4 As at 30 June 2021 1