As part of our Membership Spotlight feature we recently spoke to Francis McTaggart from Fairstone about doing business. Read what Francis had to say.
Tell us about your business and what you do
We are Fairstone Ireland, a financial planning and advice business based here in the local area. We've been on quite a journey, founded originally as Fortitude Financial Planning, we formed a strategic partnership with Fairstone and rebranded in March 2026.
That partnership means our clients now benefit from the backing of a group with over €3 billion in assets under management, while still receiving the personal, local service they want, know and trust. Day to day, we work with our clients and their families, helping them navigate their financial lives with clarity, confidence and a plan that's built around them.
What has been your biggest achievement so far?
There have been a few proud moments, but being recognised as an All Ireland Business Foundation All Star in 2022 really stood out. It was a wonderful acknowledgement of the work we put in every single day. I myself am only one of approximately 1,000 Certified Financial Planners in Ireland. The CFP® designation is the gold standard of financial planning across the world, not just in Ireland.
Beyond awards and qualifications though, my biggest achievement is simply the trust that our clients place in us, that's something I will never take for granted and when clients tell me something simple like they feel better or simply have peace of mind, hearing phrases like those are achievements for me.
Share something people might not know about your business
Financial services in Ireland has historically been a very product-led industry, the focus was on selling products rather than truly serving people. From day one, we wanted to change that. We start with the client, where they are right now, where they want to go, and what they want their life to look like and then build a financial framework around their vision. It sounds simple, but it's still quite rare, and it's at the heart of everything we do.
We also offer something truly unique in Ireland, Fairstone One. It's a complete all-encompassing service that brings financial planning, tax advice and legal advice together under one roof. There is simply nowhere else in Ireland where you can access that level of comprehensive, joined-up advice in one place. For our clients, whether it’s estate and inheritance planning, business owner tax planning or people seeking a completely integrated strategy for their wealth, that means no more juggling multiple advisors or getting conflicting guidance everything works together, seamlessly and in their best interest.
What's the best piece of business advice you've ever received?
Put your clients front and centre of your USP and the business will grow. It's advice we've taken to heart completely. When you genuinely make every decision through the lens of what's best for the client, everything else follows. The relationships, the referrals, the reputation, they all take care of themselves.