Wealth manager boosts portfolio with takeover

A national wealth management firm has expanded with a takeover.

Fairstone has bought Foundation Financial Planning.

Bosses say the swoop for the West Sussex-based operator “strengthens its position in the London commuter belt”.

Founded in 1998, Haywards Heath-based Foundation Financial Planning has £170 million of client assets under management, with its services covering areas such as tax planning, investment management, pensions, mortgages and estate planning.

The deal comes after Foundation Financial Planning joined Fairstone’s downstream buyout programme in late 2024, which allows owners to work with the company and grow operations while planning for a sale.

Rob McDonnell, Fairstone managing director (south), said: “Foundation Financial Planning’s commitment to client excellence stood out from day one and chimed perfectly with our outlook.

“With its location in the commuter belt between Brighton and London, Haywards Heath has strong demand for the kind of sophisticated personal financial planning we provide.

“Its strong entrepreneurial economy also presents opportunities for us to expand our growing corporate financial advice offer.”   

Gianni Campopiano, Foundation Financial Planning firm principal, added: “Being part of one of the UK and Ireland’s largest and most trusted wealth management groups means we can continue to offer a wide choice of products reinforced with deeper and wider research.” 

Operating from more than 50 bases across the UK, 1450-plus staff Fairstone manages client assets in excess of £23 billion.

It last week said it is in a “strong position” to hit a £40 billion landmark after revealing earnings had climbed 17 per cent year-on-year to £179.3 million in the year to December 31.

The firm previously added Grainger Financial Planning, Riverstone Wealth Management and two Aberdeen businesses to its stable.

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