Hardly a day goes by, it seems, without the business world buzzing with news of mergers and acquisitions.

But in the case of one island firm it is now a case of going the opposite way.

For Blythe Financial, based in Myrtle Street, Douglas, has gone back to basics.

Financial advisers Sue and Alan Blythe have reversed a deal by which they joined a larger group two years ago.

Mr Blythe, 51, revealed the news in an email to clients which was headed: ’Back to the future.’

He wrote: ’Sue and I are delighted to announce that we have reacquired the business formerly known as Blythe Financial from the MitonOptimal group, effectively reversing the deal by which we joined the group in January 2017.

’The deal was approved by the Isle of Man Financial Services Authority on March 7, 2019 and the business will revert to its former name, Blythe Financial, with immediate effect.’

Mr and Mrs Blythe are delighted with the return of the name Blythe Financial at their base in Myrtle Street, Douglas.

Mr Blythe told Business News the decision was reached to sever links with Miton because: ’We were on different pages.’

He added: ’We wanted to be in control of our own destiny and our decision was made with our clients in mind.

Mr Blythe did not want to go into too much detail about the relationship with Miton but admitted there had been a ’frank exchange of views.’

Mr Blythe said he did not want to put off other companies from following the mergers and acquisitions route and it often fits in well.

But in this case he and his wife decided it was not for them, although they had learned a lot from the experience.

He said the initial reaction of clients to the news was one of ’happiness’. Eight members of staff work at the investment advisory business in the island, alongside Mr and Mrs Blythe who are joint owners and directors. Blythe Financial was first established in 2002 and Business News has also reported in the past about how clients have become used to seeing Mr and Mrs Blythe bring their pet dogs in to work.

The current pet pooches who come along to the office every day are cocker spaniels Holly and Cookie.

The Blythes also have a Bernese mountain dog puppy called Delilah who only pops in occasionally.

Sadly the couple’s much-loved and popular adult Bernese mountain dog Jess, who loved sitting in the boardroom, died a couple of years ago, literally hours after the original deal with Miton was clinched, explained Mr Blythe.

Mr and Mrs Blythe are a familiar sight with office workers as they take the dogs for a lunchtime stroll.

MitonOptimal International Limited is a Guernsey-headquartered investment management group. Founded in 2002, it is a global multi-asset management company, with a presence in Guernsey, South Africa, UK, Isle of Man and Singapore.