Partner Article

Fairstone Group continues Teesside growth with Darlington expansion

Fairstone Financial Management is growing its Teesside office, formerly known as Belasis IFA, by moving into new premises in Darlington.

Belasis IFA, previously based in Billingham, now comprises six advisers and two administrative staff, led by business principal, Craig Dyball, and independent financial adviser, Stewart Hodgson.

The firm became part of Fairstone Financial Management in 2012 under Fairstone’s Downstream Buyout Model, which has helped support the firm’s continued growth, resulting in the team’s move to new offices, located at Victoria House on Victoria Road in Darlington.

In 2013 the business acquired Retirement Options Wearside and Retirement Options Durham which specialised in bespoke financial advice for teachers, and in 2014 went on to acquire Fergus MacKenzie & Co.

The Darlington team now represents some 1,500 clients across the Teesside, County Durham and North Yorkshire areas, advising in relation to all areas of personal and corporate financial planning including investments, pensions, IHT planning, group pensions, auto enrolment, mortgages, group risk, succession planning and business protection, including keyperson insurance.

Lee Hartley, Chief Executive of Fairstone Group (pictured above), said: “We are very pleased with the continued growth of the team in Teesside under the Fairstone umbrella. It is particularly gratifying to see the results that can be achieved when our partners take advantage of our Downstream Buyout Model and of the financial and administrative support they can count on when they become part of the Fairstone family.

“We are always keen to provide the help needed for our partner businesses to flourish, whether it be financial or administrative, and the success that the team in Darlington has achieved is something we would like to congratulate them on, and emulate throughout the Fairstone Group.”

Craig Dyball, Business Principal at Fairstone Financial Management’s Darlington office, said: “Having outgrown our offices through the growth of the team and expanding client work, we took the strategic decision to move to Darlington. We have been impressed by the dynamic nature of Darlington and recent inward investment which has created jobs and a skilled workforce.”

Independent Financial Adviser, Stewart Hodgson, added: “With an eye on developing more business in the North Yorkshire area, a move to Darlington represented a sensible decision for the firm. With the continued support we receive from our parent, Fairstone, this promises to be a very exciting time for the company, especially as we look to further acquisition opportunities.”

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