Fairstone Continues to Expand National Presence with Acquisition of Imagine Financial Planning

Fairstone has completed the full acquisition of Imagine Financial Planning, a Harrogate-based firm, further extending its presence across Yorkshire, the North, and the UK.

This acquisition brings Fairstone’s funds under management to more than £17 billion, reinforcing its position as one of the UK’s largest wealth management firms.

Yorkshire and the North remain strategic priorities for Fairstone, which already operates 16 offices across the region, including a key hub in Wakefield. As part of its broader growth strategy, Fairstone is establishing regional operational centres designed to serve 95% of the local population within an hour’s reach. These hubs will eventually mirror the functions of its head office, providing closer, full-service  support for local teams and their clients.

Imagine Financial Planning partnered with Fairstone in 2021 through its unique Downstream Buy Out (DBO) programme. The 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 at a point in the future. During the partnership period, Fairstone provides comprehensive infrastructure, regulatory, and compliance support, allowing firms to focus on their clients while maximising business value.

Fairstone takes a small minority equity stake in the business at the start of their DBO programme, providing market-leading resources and expertise to support growth. This model has enabled many firms like Imagine to grow more effectively while maintaining operational independence. At the end of the partnership period, once the firm has fully integrated and maximised the benefits of Fairstone’s support, Fairstone acquires the remaining equity at a pre-agreed multiple of the firm’s profit, ensuring optimal capital value for the business owners.

Commenting on the acquisition, Shona Lowe, Managing Director North said:

“Imagine Financial Planning’s strong reputation and client-first approach make it an excellent fit for Fairstone. The strength of our DBO programme lies in its ability to deliver significant value to our partner firms while maintaining their independence during the partnership phase. Every firm that has completed the DBO process with us has received at least 100%, and often significantly more, of the value attributed to their business at the point of full acquisition. This success underpins our continued growth strategy and the appeal of our unique model.”

Nigel Woods, Director at Imagine Financial Planning, added:

“The support we’ve received through the DBO programme has been instrumental in enabling us to grow while continuing to deliver exceptional service to our clients. Fairstone’s infrastructure and resources have allowed us to unlock the latent potential in our business, making this partnership invaluable. Joining Fairstone is the next step in our journey, and we’re excited to continue growing as part of the group.”

The acquisition of Imagine Financial Planning underscores Fairstone’s dedication to expanding its footprint across the UK. The firm’s DBO model remains a compelling choice for ambitious firms pursuing sustainable growth and improved client outcomes. In 2025, Fairstone aims to further solidify its national presence, building on a successful year that welcomed 12 new partners to the DBO programme, bringing its total partnership agreements to over 80.

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