Fairstone expands in Sussex with latest acquisition

Fairstone has strengthened its position in the London commuter belt with the acquisition of a financial planning practice in Sussex.

The fast-growing wealth management group has bought Foundation Financial Planning, which is based in Haywards Heath.

Founded in March 1998, Foundation offers a wide range of financial planning and wealth management services including tax planning, investment management, pensions, mortgages and estate planning.

With four advisers and a support team, the firm serves more than 400 clients across the south of England, with the majority based in West Sussex, and has £170m of client assets under management.

Headed by Chartered financial planner Gianni Campopiano, Foundation Financial Planning first partnered with Fairstone in December 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.

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

Gianni Campopiano, Firm Principal at Foundation Financial Planning, said: “Joining Fairstone has facilitated an enhanced service for our clients, security for staff members and an opportunity for us to continue to grow the business.

“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; while retaining our local presence and strong roots in Haywards Heath.

“Fairstone’s excellent connections and relationships with global investment leaders also means we can offer clients a level of investment expertise and investment products at a price we simply couldn’t offer before.”

Rob McDonnell, Managing Director (South) at Fairstone, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Gianni and the Foundation Financial Planning team to Fairstone.

“Their commitment to client excellence stood out from day one and chimed in perfectly with our own 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 which we can provide.

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

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 1,450 people and manages client assets of more than £23bn.

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.