Senior M&A Partner
Senior M&A Partner
Mark entered the financial services sector in 2007 and joined Fairstone in 2010 with a remit to grow the business through the acquisition of high quality advice firms. He has an extensive understanding of the arena and the firms, individuals and acquisition models within.
Specialism/Role: M&A Activity
Worked closely with:
Mark’s role is very much a consultancy position. He uses his experience and knowledge to help sellers fully understand what it is that they are looking to achieve, separating fact from fiction and opening up new ideas and possibilities.
Mark has completed numerous successful acquisitions to date, gaining new colleagues and new personal friends along the way. Mark gets to help individuals to realise their dreams claiming there are not many jobs where you can do that.
“Mark was instrumental in developing our initial relationship with Fairstone, guiding us through the initial discussions and fact finding and in helping us reach the decision to join the DBO programme in 2017. His understanding of the industry and his in-depth knowledge and experience of the Fairstone business were invaluable and gave us the reassurance that by partnering with Fairstone we could achieve our objectives for the future”
Ian Robinson | Fairstone Financial Management
“I’ve known Mark since 2014 when we first met for an exploratory chat about joining Fairstone. With Mark’s help, since then our business has gone from strength to strength. He has committed a lot of his time and energy helping us to put a plan in place for the future growth and success of the business.”
Sean Larkin | Fairstone Financial Management (NI)
“I was introduced to Mark Donnelly as part of my own business succession planning. I was concerned that my successful IFA practice would not be able to offer continuity of service to my clients as many advisers were pressing on in age. I wanted to ensure that the principles of first class service combined with sound business practice would extend beyond the lifetime of our existing client-adviser relationship.
Mark was different to other ‘recruiters’, he took time to understand my whole team’s expectations. He described in plain terms how the process of joining Fairstone worked and was happy to meet the team and take individual questions.
I found Mark’s manner extremely professional and genuine. He has his own objectives but like a good IFA, understands that the relationship and trust is key.
Nothing in life is perfect and as a friend said to me, sometimes you ‘just have to take a leap of faith’. Speaking with Mark Donnelly enabled me to take that leap and I’m glad we did.”
Robert Goodman | Fairstone Financial Management
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