Fairstone expands in Northern Ireland

Fairstone has expanded its operation in Northern Ireland with the acquisition of an investment management firm in Belfast.

The fast-growing wealth management group has bought Ferguson Hill Asset Management, which is based in the Ballyhackamore area of Belfast, to the east of the city centre.

Ferguson Hill offers a wide range of financial planning and wealth management services including investment advice, financial planning and tax advice to both individual and corporate clients.

With three financial advisers and a Chartered Financial Planner, the firm has £135m of client assets under management.

Headed by Director Stephen Hill, Ferguson Hill Asset Management first partnered with Fairstone in March 2024 through the unique Downstream Buy Out (DBO) programme.

Fairstone’s DBO model is designed to unlock the full potential of independent advisory firms by investing in their growth during a period of partnership, before fully acquiring the business.

Ferguson Hill’s partnership period has completed with the firm now becoming a full part of Fairstone.

Stephen Hill (above left), Firm Principal at Ferguson Hill Asset Management, said: “We’re delighted to become part of Fairstone.

“Joining one of the UK’s largest and most trusted wealth management groups ensures that we can continue to give independent, whole of market advice to our clients but also offer them access to a wider choice of products at reduced fees.

“The DBO route has proved to be the perfect way for us to gradually adapt our processes and ways of working to those of Fairstone whilst continuing to serve our clients and to grow the business.

“It has ensured a smooth and seamless transition, reassuring our clients at the same time as giving them access to wider expertise and a broader range of services.

“We’re looking forward to a great future as part of one of the UK and Ireland’s largest and most trusted wealth management groups.”

Russell Bignall, Chief Financial Planning Officer at Fairstone, said: “It is fantastic to have Stephen and the Ferguson Hill Asset Management team on board.

“Their client-centred values and commitment to providing high quality, trusted, independent financial advice stood out from day one and was perfectly aligned with our own approach.

“We already have a strong presence in the city thanks to our hub office in Belfast, and the addition of Ferguson Hill further increases our footprint in the city and the region.

“It will enable us to build even closer relationships with clients, respond more effectively to their needs and strengthen our position across Northern Ireland and the wider UK market.”

Fairstone is one of the fastest growing financial services organisations in the UK and Ireland.

It operates from more than 50 different locations, employs over 1,350 people serving over 60,000 wealth clients with client assets under management of more than £22bn.

Fairstone’s innovative DBO model offers capital investment, operational resource, and regulatory support to partner firms, allowing them to focus on developing their performance without being restricted by back-office or compliance workload.

It also gives firms the ability to sell at the optimum time, ensuring they realise maximum value when the time is right for them and they share in the proceeds of their growth.

To find out more about the DBO process, talk to a member of our team.