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Fairstone Financial Management

Is this your company?

1 year on from the management shakeup and things have only deteriorated further - Financial Planner Fairstone Financial Management Employee Review

1.0
15 Mar 2025
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Local office staff are great accross the group

Cons

Changes over the past year including modification of incentive schemes, soon to be announced removal of the cashflow modelling service, and the implementation of 'performance' directors (sales managers) have made it clear as day the business is in an all out sprint down the hard sales route right back to the 1980's. The business has been on a diet the past 18 months trying to reduce support staff headcount. The business proudly proclaims they do not make staff redundant during acquisitions but that's only because it's easier to make life increasingly difficult until staff leave. The primary weapon of choice is pay - it's below market and there won't be any increase. They're aiming to create a new breed of adviser. One who costs less and does their own admin/paraplanning. They're constantly looking for new trainees because they're overloaded with tiny clients they can't service profitably, and that's what's on offer for the Mineral/trainee adviser to be. Speaking directly about the north management team - Management is a stretch. It's been a year of denying any issues exist and you alone are the only person/office experiencing issues. If you raise any evidence to contrary you will be gaslit and bullied into submission.

Explore other reviews about Fairstone Financial Management

1.0
26 June 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

- A handful of genuinely talented and hardworking colleagues who made difficult days more bearable. - Some clients were fantastic to work with and deserved far better than the service culture that existed behind the scenes. - Occasional social events were enjoyable. - Thursdays in the City were often a highlight, and a group of us regularly enjoyed trips to The Folly and Eastcheap Records after work. - The business has the potential to be a genuinely great place to work if the underlying progress and cultural issues are addressed.

Cons

- Toxic masculinity and a culture where inappropriate behaviour was too often excused as “banter”. - Advisors openly mocking clients and making disparaging comments about people’s finances behind closed doors. - Inappropriate comments about female employees that were tolerated for far too long. - Favouritism and nepotism, creating the perception that opportunities were awarded based on relationships rather than merit. - Career progression based more on office politics than performance. - Being effectively trapped in a paraplanner role despite repeatedly expressing a desire to progress into a Financial Adviser position. - Commuting from afar, for this opportunity, the workplace culture came as a genuine shock. I expected a professional financial planning firm but instead encountered an environment where ego, bravado and office politics appeared to carry more weight than professionalism and competence. - Poor leadership and a lack of accountability when concerns were raised. - High staff turnover and poor morale. - A significant disconnect between the company’s stated values and employees’ day-to-day experiences. - Empty promises regarding development, progression and professional growth.

3.0
17 May 2026
Recommend
CEO approval
Business outlook

Pros

Great team, good people, good experience

Cons

There are no opportunities for career growth or professional development. Salaries are extremely low. Employees are constantly expected to go the extra mile. Personal preferences are valued more than actual performance.

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