Centrepoint Alliance secures controlling stake in growing Queensland advice business
Centrepoint Alliance (ASX: CAF) has entered into binding transaction documents to acquire an initial 51% controlling interest in SEQ Advice Group Pty Limited, a growing South East Queensland financial advice business. The acquisition delivers approximately $0.6m of attributable annualised EBITDA initially, with a pathway to approximately $1.9m by FY31.
Change of control is expected to complete on 1 September 2026. The transaction is consistent with Centrepoint’s strategy to increase its direct participation in recurring, high-margin financial advice earnings by investing in established advice businesses with strong client relationships.
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Inside the SEQ Advice acquisition
Centrepoint will acquire an initial 51% interest in SEQ, providing majority ownership and control from completion. The deal includes a pathway to lift ownership to 75% through a second tranche acquisition, subject to agreed performance, client-transition and succession outcomes.
Approximately 25% ownership is intended to remain with continuing advisers and key personnel, supporting retention, succession and long-term alignment. The acquisition is based on a valuation of 7.2x agreed maintainable EBITDA for Tranches 1 and 2.
Change of control condition precedents comprise:
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A cash payment of $0.5m
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Signing of a call option deed which provides Centrepoint the option to purchase the remaining 25% of shares
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Signing of the SEQ shareholder deed of termination
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Signing of the new SEQ shareholder deed
The Tranche 1 consideration is subject to completion adjustments and will be settled on a deferred basis, with the debt-funded balance expected to be paid in September 2027. The $0.5m paid at completion will be offset against the total Tranche 1 consideration payable.
| Metric | Reference FY27 | FY31 Objective | Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| SEQ EBITDA | ~$1.2m | ≥$2.5m | +$1.3m |
| Centrepoint ownership | 51% | 75% | +24% |
| Centrepoint attributable EBITDA | ~$0.6m | ~$1.9m | +$1.3m |
A closer look at SEQ Advice Group
SEQ has grown into an established Queensland financial advice business serving both regional and metropolitan clients. Key facts include:
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Established in 2015
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Offices in Bundaberg and Brisbane
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Approximately 626 client groups as at June 2026
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Five financial advisers plus one professional-year adviser
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Nine employee shareholders
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Approximately $3.0m in annual revenue
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Maintainable FY27 EBITDA derived at $1.2m
SEQ’s existing management and adviser team will continue to operate the business day-to-day following completion, maintaining continuity for clients and employees while Centrepoint supports the business’s growth, governance and succession objectives.
Why financial advice acquisitions matter for investors
Established financial advice businesses are considered attractive assets because they generate recurring, high-margin advice earnings.
The sector is benefiting from structural tailwinds. Australia’s population is ageing, more people are transitioning into retirement, and adviser capacity remains constrained.
Centrepoint entered 2026 from a position of financial momentum, having reported 17% EBITDA growth to $6.2 million in the first half of FY26 alongside an upgraded full-year guidance, driven by operating leverage across its core advice and licensee businesses.
Retaining meaningful equity with continuing advisers keeps their incentives aligned with the acquirer, helping preserve client relationships and stability through the transition.
The strategic rationale and growth pathway
The acquisition supports Centrepoint’s strategy to grow its Financial Advice business and increase participation in recurring, high-margin advice earnings. Centrepoint intends to support SEQ’s organic growth by leveraging its technology and operating infrastructure to materially improve productivity per adviser.
SEQ gains access to Centrepoint’s compliance, education, investment solutions and business services. The expected benefits of the transaction include:
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Increased direct participation in high-margin financial advice earnings
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Expanded Queensland presence, with Bundaberg extending reach across the state’s major regional hubs
Centrepoint’s Queensland expansion strategy has been building progressively through 2026, with the company having earlier committed approximately $3.0 million to acquire the client books of Cairns Wealth and Pinnacle Wealth, securing a presence across all major regional centres in the state ahead of the SEQ Advice transaction.
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Improved adviser productivity through Centrepoint’s technology and operating infrastructure
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Support for adviser and principal succession while maintaining continuity for clients, alongside retained equity alignment
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A platform for continued organic growth, with Centrepoint’s Financial Advice business expected to grow to approximately 30 advisers
Centrepoint Alliance CEO John Shuttleworth
“SEQ has built a high-quality advice business serving regional and metropolitan Queensland clients, with a strong record of growth, adviser development and client service. This acquisition is consistent with Centrepoint’s strategy to grow our Financial Advice business and increase our direct participation in recurring advice earnings, while providing a practical succession pathway and retaining meaningful ownership for the advisers and key people who will lead the business into the future.”
“We see an opportunity to support SEQ’s next stage of growth through Centrepoint’s technology, compliance, investment and business capabilities, while preserving the client relationships, local leadership and culture that have underpinned the business’s success. Current transaction modelling is expected to deliver maintainable FY27 EBITDA of approximately $1.2m, with a pathway to at least $2.5m of maintainable EBITDA by FY31, providing Centrepoint shareholders with an initial earnings contribution and exposure to further growth as the business delivers its strategy and Centrepoint’s ownership increases.”
What happens next
Completion remains subject to satisfaction of the conditions contained in the transaction documents. The near-term timeline includes:
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Completion targeted for 1 September 2026, subject to satisfaction of transaction conditions
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Tranche 1 debt-funded balance expected to be paid in September 2027
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The second tranche (to 75%) can be brought forward if the $2.5m maintainable EBITDA objective is achieved in an earlier financial year
Centrepoint has stated it will provide a further update if required in accordance with its continuous disclosure obligations.
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