Newly launched Bridgemark Strategies (Bridgemark) is to provide an independent consultancy for independent financial advisors and financial advisory firms seeking strategic planning, execution and advice in business and human capital transitions.
Led by three veteran industry leaders with decades of expertise in advisor transitions and executive recruiting, Bridgemark will advise broker-dealers, registered investment adviser (RIA) firms and financial advisors across the retail financial advice industry.
From changing broker-dealers or starting an RIA, to executive recruiting for the home office teams of independent firms, to building and executing succession plans, Bridgemark’s professionals provide a comprehensive solution set to a national client base based on long-term, strategic planning considerations. Complementing these offerings, Bridgemark also delivers end-to-end M&A solutions for independent financial advisory businesses as well as small- to mid-sized independent broker-dealers and RIA firms, encompassing turnkey support in identifying potential transaction partners, sourcing transaction financing and assistance in structuring and facilitating transactions that create long-term value for both sides of an M&A deal.
Bridgemark Strategies CEO and Co-Founder Jeff Nash, says: “We’re launching Bridgemark Strategies to help independent financial advisors and firms successfully address a unique set of challenges and opportunities driven by shifting regulatory, demographic, consumer and technology trends. Gone are the days when a so-called ‘recruiter’ working under a simple transactional model could support the delivery of an effective solution set for advisor transitions, home office executive recruiting or M&A support. Today’s industry environment demands that third party consultancies adopt a more strategic and longer-term approach to how they support business and talent transitions of all kinds. It’s understood that independent firms and advisors today must operate at a higher level of accountability and transparency than ever before, with a foremost priority on their clients’ best interests. We believe third party solutions providers should be held to the same standards in the work we do for firms and advisors.”
Bridgemark Strategies was created through the strategic combination of Nash Consulting Group, a fast-growing consultancy specialising in business transitions and M&A solutions for independent financial advisors, broker-dealers and RIAs, with the talent and expertise of veteran recruiting executives James Sorey – formerly Head of Recruiting for Lincoln Financial Network in Philadelphia – and Chris DeFrank, formerly Senior Vice President for Business Development at LPL Financial. Nash Consulting Group CEO Jeff Nash and Sorey also previously served in executive roles at LPL, with Nash serving as Senior Vice President in Business Development, Business Consulting and Advisor Transitions roles while at LPL, and Sorey serving as Senior Vice President and National Sales Manager for LPL’s Business Development department.
Bridgemark Strategies Managing Director James Sorey, who will lead the firm’s dedicated executive recruiting arm, Bridgemark Executive Search, says: “Aligning the right talent with the right position within broker-dealer and RIA home office teams has escalated in complexity. At the same time, there’s also an increased convergence between strategies to support the competition to recruit top home office executive talent and the competition to recruit top advisors. Each firm’s ability to grow by attracting advisors will be driven more than ever by the human capital that home office teams can deploy in seamlessly addressing the multiple demands being made on advisors in this new fiduciary era. In this new normal, independent broker-dealers and RIAs will be best served in working with a consulting partner that understands how to create executive recruiting outcomes that truly support long-term growth strategies. We have created Bridgemark at this critical time to be that partner.”
As part of its launch, Bridgemark Strategies also announced the hiring of two additional senior professionals, Victoria Printz and Sean McMaster, each of whom will serve as Vice President for Advisor Consulting. Ms. Printz and McMaster both join Bridgemark Strategies from LPL Financial, where they had been senior recruiters. Headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, the firm will also have a presence in Boston, MA.
Nash says: “Bridgemark Strategies is redefining how recruiting is done for the independent financial advice space. Bridgemark offers advisors, broker-dealers and RIAs across the country a new approach and a new culture, all combined with decades of experience in helping firms and advisors to build their businesses for long term success.
