Product Partnerships Ltd (PPL) has bought a majority stake in specialist consultancy Think Compliance.

PPL is an FCA-regulated compliance firm that helps regulated and aspiring-to-be-regulated businesses navigate authorisation and ongoing FCA obligations in a clear, practical way.

This partnership with Think Compliance will broaden and strengthen the compliance support available to regulated businesses across the UK. It brings together complementary strengths. Think Compliance adds deep, relationship-led consultancy and Regulatory Data Reporting experience, while PPL brings wider authorisation support and a platform-enabled approach to oversight and training. Together, this creates a more comprehensive service for a significantly larger combined client base. This step builds on PPL’s recent momentum and reflects continued investment in expanding the group’s consultancy capability alongside practical, platform-enabled support for clients.

PPL is an Arete portfolio company that has recently doubled the size of its client base. Along with the brilliant support of TDC, Arete worked with the PPL management team on key aspects of completing the investment.

For clients of the two businesses, the priority is continuity and added capability. Think Compliance clients will continue working with the advisers they know, with access to a broader team and expanded services through PPL, while PPL clients benefit from the additional depth and expertise Think Compliance brings.

Phillip Garlick, CEO at Product Partnerships, said,‍

“This marks another major milestone in PPL’s evolution, strengthening our consultancy-focused capability while turbo-charging efficiency through our technology platform, Artemis.

"Since our Management Buyout in February, backed by TDC, Arete Capital, and Seneca Partners, we’ve seen significant growth in our client base. That momentum has been fuelled not only by developing existing talent but also by attracting exceptional new talent from across the sector.

"Think Compliance Limited was built on rock-solid foundations, led by highly respected industry veterans — Rebecca Wilson, Managing Director, and Ian Beardmore, who also serves as COO of the Association of Professional Compliance Consultants (APCC). Their credibility, experience, and vision make this an incredibly powerful addition to the PPL family."

"I’d also like to personally thank Simon Lord, Joint Managing Partner at Arete Capital, as well as the team at TDC, and the Board for their invaluable support throughout this acquisition.”

The partnership reflects PPL’s wider focus on making regulatory oversight simpler and more practical for firms, combining specialist advice with technology and training that support consistent compliance as businesses grow.