Fairstone unveils Ian Brady as its new chief executive

Owner of the askpaul.ie financial advice business, Fairstone Ireland has acquired 20 wealth management firms in the past four years 

Steven Cooper, CEO of Fairstone Group, Paul Merriman, the president and founder of Fairstone Ireland, and newly appointed Ian Brady, CEO of Fairstone Ireland.

Financial planning firm Fairstone Ireland has appointed Ian Brady as its CEO.

In Ireland, Fairstone owns the askpaul.ie financial advice business, and has over €4bn in assets under management and has 240 employees providing investment solutions, retirement planning strategies, mortgage services, inheritance planning and wealth management services to over 70,000 clients across Ireland. It has £25bn of assets under management across the UK and Ireland, serving over 100,000 clients across both markets.

Fairstone’s origins go back to askpaul.ie, founded by Paul Merriman in 2016. Paul sold his business to UK-based Fairstone in 2022 and took up the role of CEO of Fairstone Ireland, initiating a period of dramatic growth as it led the consolidation process amongst financial planning and wealth management firms across the country.

Paul Merriman will move from his current CEO role to a new role as president of Fairstone Ireland. He will remain a member of the executive management team, supporting the group's long-term strategy and future growth initiatives. 

Ian Brady said: "It's a privilege to take this role on from Paul Merriman, who built Fairstone Ireland into one of the fastest-growing advice businesses in the country. The business has earned the right to its next chapter; my job is to sustain that momentum and put the strength and depth beneath it that the opportunity demands." 

Ian Brady brings 25 years of wealth management experience, notably as CEO of Unio and 20 years with Davy as MD in its wealth management division.

Paul Merriman said: "Ian is one of Ireland's most respected leaders in financial advice and wealth management, bringing exceptional experience, vision and a proven track record of high-level management and growing progressive wealth businesses." 

Fairstone has been a consolidator of Irish financial planning and wealth management businesses over the past four years and has acquired 20 independently owned wealth management and financial planning firms in that time.