Fairstone Marks 100th DBO with Acquisition of Richardson Premier Wealth
- Chapters Capital
- Jun 26
- 2 min read
26th June 2025
Fairstone has successfully completed its 100th DBO by welcoming Richardson Premier Wealth Ltd from Halifax, West Yorkshire, into its national network. This acquisition adds over £50m in client assets and more than 200 clients, further strengthening Fairstone’s presence in both West Yorkshire and Glasgow.
Richardson Premier Wealth, a family-owned IFA firm led by Paul Richardson, is the latest company to join Fairstone’s well-established DBO model. This model provides capital investment, regulatory support, operational infrastructure, and a clear exit path, enabling firms to retain control while growing on their own terms.
With this milestone, Fairstone now manages over £20bn in assets and serves 60,000 wealth clients. CEO Lee Hartley has stated that the company aims to reach £40bn AUM by 2030. He described the 100th DBO as a significant achievement but emphasised that it is “nowhere near the final destination,” as Fairstone continues to seek strategic partnerships across the UK and Ireland.
The DBO model, refined over the past decade, offers firms a comprehensive and fully integrated route to succession. Notably, each firm that has participated in the DBO process has received at least 100% of their initial sale value, with average earnouts reaching 120% and some as high as 180%, a remarkable track record in adviser M&A.
Fairstone’s Chief Development Officer, Steve McNicol, emphasised that the DBO approach focuses on integration rather than consolidation. This model encourages founders and advisers to remain with the firm post-sale. According to Fairstone, every principal acquired through the DBO route has chosen to stay on, indicating a strong cultural fit and alignment of values.
The updated DBO program now features a dynamic valuation framework linked to business performance and client outcomes, providing ambitious principals with greater potential upside as they scale within the Fairstone ecosystem.
At Chapters Capital, we specialise in financial planning and wealth management M&A and understand the importance of strategic acquisitions for growth. Whether you are considering a sale, merger, or expansion or want to learn more about buyers in the space, please contact one of our professional associates today for a confidential, no-obligation consultation.
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