Fairstone completes second acquisition in a fortnight

Leeds-based Howton will add about £53m of funds under influence to Fairstone's books. The firm specialises in financial planning for individuals, families and businesses with a focus on tax efficiency, pensions and investment. It first partnered with Fairstone three years ago and was acquired under Fairstone's downstream buyout model (DBO). The model sees Fairstone take an initial minority stake in an advisory business and integrate the firm over a number of years.   Fairstone has argued this helps minimise its exposure to integration risk while allowing the acquired company to "profi...