Woodbridge International, a mergers and acquisitions firm founded in 1993 by Robert M. Koenig, has established a notable presence in the global market over the past three decades. In August 2024, Woodbridge International announced its acquisition by Mariner Wealth Advisors, a national financial services firm.
This partnership connects Woodbridge’s Sell-Side M&A expertise and Mariner’s wealth advisory services to offer an integrated approach for their clients. The acquisition represents a significant growth and expansion opportunity for Woodbridge International.
Woodbridge International has built a reputation for delivering exceptional results for its clients, focusing on maximizing value through innovative marketing strategies and a deep understanding of market dynamics.
With offices in New Haven, CT and Cape Town, South Africa, Woodbridge is equipped with a global database of 8,400 private equity groups and 410,000 strategic companies. Woodbridge casts one of the widest nets in the industry, quickly identifying the greatest number of buyers.
Key Milestones and Expansion
Throughout its history, Woodbridge International has achieved several milestones that highlight its growth and expansion:
Read also: Authentic Ethiopian Cuisine
- 2024: In August 2024, Woodbridge announced its acquisition by Mariner Wealth Advisors, a national financial services firm.
- 2023: Woodbridge International held a conference in Cape Town South Africa celebrating 30 years in business.
- 2014: Woodbridge expands its global Joint Venture offering by working on a mandate involving companies in Japan and Poland. Opens new offices in Frankfurt, Germany.
- 2013: Woodbridge continues to expand its international footprint - opening new offices in Shanghai and Shenzhen, Tokyo, Bogota, and Pune, India.
- 2012: Woodbridge Group changes name to Woodbridge International.
- 2010: Woodbridge opens first office in Sao Paulo.
- 2006: Continues expansion with the launching of the firm’s European office in the Netherlands.
Focus on M&A Activity across Africa - Part 1
The Acquisition by Mariner Wealth Advisors
Overland Park, Kan. - September 3, 2024 - Mariner, a national wealth advisory firm, today announced its acquisition of New Haven, Conn.-based Woodbridge International, a leading middle-market mergers and acquisitions firm. This acquisition significantly bolsters Mariner’s position as a comprehensive financial advisory firm, deepening its expertise in sell-side M&A advisory services.
The acquisition will enable Mariner to offer enhanced M&A advisory services to its clients, leveraging Woodbridge’s global reach and industry-specific knowledge.
“The integration of Woodbridge International into the Mariner family marks a transformative step in our mission to deliver comprehensive, client-focused financial services,” said Marty Bicknell, CEO and president of Mariner. “Woodbridge’s impressive history of successful transactions and its commitment to client-centric solutions align seamlessly with our core values. This acquisition enables us to broaden our service offerings, empowering our clients to navigate the complexities of M&A with greater confidence and precision.”
“For our team, joining forces with Mariner opens up incredible avenues for growth,” said Robert Koenig, CEO of Woodbridge International. “We now have a clear path to potentially double our business within the next few years. By expanding our offerings, we can cultivate idle leads and provide more value to clients than ever before. This is an exciting time for Woodbridge, especially as we aim to capture the anticipated wave of baby boomer business exits.”
This cultural alignment is at the heart of the acquisition, enabling Mariner to enhance its service offerings at a time when 35% of financial advisors are expected to retire over the next decade and $17 trillion in small businesses are projected to be sold in the next 20 years. This acquisition strengthens Mariner’s ability to support its 1,200 business owner clients, particularly during key business transitions.
Read also: Lagos Airport: A Historical Overview
The acquisition was finalized on August 30, 2024, and the integration of Woodbridge’s team and operations into Mariner’s existing structure is expected to be completed by the end of the year.
Both Mariner and Woodbridge are united by a shared commitment to making a meaningful impact on the clients they serve.
In 2025 As the final step in our integration with Mariner Wealth Advisors, we transitioned our name from Woodbridge, A Mariner Company to simply Mariner. While our name has changed, our dedication to our clients remains the same.
Woodbridge pioneers the use of video to market client companies.
Woodbridge switches from Buy-Side to Sell-Side to better serve clients.
Read also: Accra Airport Guide
