Fairstone adds £183m with two North East acquisitions
16th July 2026
Deal summary
Fairstone has acquired two independent financial advice firms in North East England: Grainger Financial Planning in Sunderland, and Riverstone Wealth Management in Morpeth, Northumberland.
Together, the firms advise more than 460 clients and manage £183 million of client assets. Grainger accounts for almost 400 clients and £120 million of assets under management, while Riverstone advises more than 65 clients with £63 million of assets. Financial terms were not disclosed.
Both firms first partnered with Fairstone in May 2024 through the group's Downstream Buy Out programme, completing their partnership periods before joining Fairstone as fully integrated businesses.
About Fairstone
Fairstone is a UK wealth management group providing financial planning, mortgage and protection advice through a national network of more than 50 locations. The Sunderland-headquartered group holds more than £22 billion of client assets under management, employs over 1,350 people and serves more than 60,000 wealth clients. Steven Cooper CBE is group CEO, while Steve Easter serves as managing director for the Northern region.
About Grainger Financial Planning and Riverstone Wealth Management
Grainger Financial Planning is a Sunderland-based firm that has been providing financial planning and wealth management services for more than 15 years. The firm serves almost 400 clients and manages £120m in client assets, led by firm principals Paul Clough and Mike McGurrell.
Riverstone Wealth Management was founded in 2009 and is led by brothers Mark and Ian Wiseman. The firm provides independent financial planning across the Northeast and Scottish Borders, advising more than 65 clients and managing £63m in client assets.
What happens next?
Both acquisitions are complete. Grainger Financial Planning and Riverstone Wealth Management have joined the rest of Fairstone's existing Northern operation, strengthening what the group describes as its North East heartland. Both firms will continue providing independent financial advice with access to Fairstone’s operational, regulatory and compliance support. Fairstone has indicated it continues to look for further acquisitions across the region.
Fairstone's other recent acquisitions
City Gate Aberdeen – July 2026
Fairstone acquired Aberdeen-based City Gate Aberdeen following a DBO partnership that began in 2023. The firm manages more than £100 million of client assets and provides financial planning, mortgage and protection advice.
Albyn Associates – July 2026
Fairstone acquired Albyn Associates and moved the firm into its new Northern Scotland hub in Westhill. Albyn Associates manages more than £80 million of assets and provides financial planning and mortgage services.
Prosperity Wealth – March 2026
Fairstone completed its largest acquisition to date with the purchase of Prosperity Wealth in Brierley Hill. The West Midlands firm manages £1.5 billion of client assets, employs 80 people and serves more than 5,000 clients.
Considering your next chapter?
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