Henley-in-Arden financial services firm acquired

Ascent Performance Group, the financial services outsourcing business and part of the Irwin Mitchell Group, has bought Henley-in-Arden-baseed financial services business Excel Collection and Enquiry Services (Excel).

Excel was established in 1994 and is an FCA-regulated financial services company with a network of 150 staff across the UK supporting all types of lenders from banks to car finance companies and personal loan providers as they seek to help customers to manage financial difficulties.

Mark Higgins, chairman of Ascent, said: “Ascent has seen strong organic growth in recent years and we work with many of the biggest lenders in the UK. This deal will help add to that growth by extending the breadth of client base and opening new markets for us.

Laurence Venn, chief executive officer at Excel, said: “We’re delighted to be joining forces with Ascent which is the market leader in providing services to financial institutions. We both share a commitment to providing an excellent client service and I have every confidence Ascent will do a great job of supporting Excel’s clients and customers.”