Professional services specialist performing to par

LANCASHIRE-based consumer professional services provider Fairpoint Group has reported performance in line with management expectations for the first three months of 2016.

The listed company, based at Adlington, near Chorley, has made a series of acquisitions recently, its legal services division boosted by the purchase of Colemans-CTTS LLP and CT Support Services Ltd, while its debt solution offering continues to contract.

Ahead of its annual meeting, the Fairpoint said good progress was being made on the integration of Colemans and Simpson Millar, “albeit with a quieter than anticipated start to the year in conveyancing, given housing transactions have not been as expected”.

The group has continued its investment in infrastructure to enable the pursuit of acquisition opportunities to further develop its legal services platform.

“As expected, market conditions in the group’s core debt solutions market remain challenging and focus remains on cost control,” a statement said.

Meanwhile, John Gittins, who has been the group’s chief financial officer since 2011, has indicated to the board his desire to step down from his executive role with Fairpoint to pursue a portfolio career of non-executive positions (having been appointed to one such role last year).

He will work with the board to ensure a smooth transition to his successor and recruitment consultants have been appointed to identify suitable candidates.