Fri, 02 Oct 2026 | BUSINESS NEWS
Newcastle-based advice consolidator Fairstone has pushed client assets beyond £23 billion after completing nine acquisitions in the first four months of 2026, as its acquisition-led growth strategy continues to accelerate.
The firm, which buys independent financial advice and investment management businesses through its Downstream Buy-Out programme, has now brought more than 100 firms into the group since the model was established. The nine deals completed since the start of 2026 mark a step up in the pace of consolidation.
Fairstone reported a 17 per cent rise in revenue to £179.3 million in 2025. Assets under advice increased 35 per cent to £21.4 billion over the course of the year and have continued to grow in 2026, with acquisitions carrying the group's total client assets past the £23 billion mark.
The Downstream Buy-Out programme allows Fairstone to acquire advice firms in stages, taking a minority position before moving to full ownership. The approach has underpinned the group's expansion across the UK and Ireland and reflects the wider pace of consolidation across the financial advice sector.
Alongside its acquisition activity, Fairstone has expanded its regional footprint, opening new hubs in Aberdeen and Cardiff during 2026 to serve the North of Scotland and Wales. The additions take the group's network to 13 hubs across the UK and Ireland.
The firm said the regional hub strategy is designed to give local offices access to shared resources and specialist expertise while keeping advisory services within reach of most clients.
The group also reported rapid growth in its discretionary investment management business. Assets managed directly by the firm rose by almost 60 per cent during 2025 to £4.3 billion, supported by the launch of its Nova fund. That figure has since increased to £5.75 billion in 2026.
Fairstone has also strengthened its leadership team over the past year. Former Aldermore Bank Chief Executive Steven Cooper (pictured above) took over as Chief Executive in November 2025, while it has since appointed digital transformation specialist Oli Plant as Chief Operating Officer and M&A Executive Scott Kirkby as Chief Corporate Development Officer.
Chief Executive Steven Cooper said: "2025 was another successful year for Fairstone and reflects the hard work of colleagues across the Group and the trust our clients place in us."
"We have strengthened our leadership team, invested in technology and capability, expanded our presence in key strategic locations across the UK and Ireland, and continued to attract high-quality advisers, businesses and clients to Fairstone. The market continues to evolve, but we are in a strong position and I am confident about the opportunities ahead."
The group has set a target of doubling in size to £40 billion of client assets under management by the end of 2030. Fairstone currently employs more than 1,450 staff and regulated advisers across more than 50 locations in the UK and Ireland and serves more than 125,000 clients across its wealth and mortgage businesses.
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