Executive Moves and Strategic Deals Reshape Financial Landscape – Week of July 11, 2025
A flurry of leadership changes, strategic partnerships, and significant investment rounds are redefining the contours of the financial services sector. From wealth management to private equity and fintech, companies are positioning themselves for growth and innovation as of July 2025.
Leadership Transitions Drive Innovation in Wealth Management
Several key firms announced new leadership appointments this week, signaling a commitment to fresh perspectives and strategic direction. ADISA has appointed Jade Miller as its first-ever CEO, tasked with driving innovation, expanding market influence, strengthening client engagement, and modernizing the organization’s infrastructure and communications. Miller previously served as president of capital markets at Bourne Financial Group.
In Chicago, Choreo Advisors named Jason Van de Loo as its new CEO, succeeding Larry Miles, who will transition into the newly created role of executive vice president of strategic partnerships. Van de Loo brings extensive experience from his previous position as head of wealth management at Edelman Financial Engines.
Cetera Advisors also announced a leadership update, appointing industry veteran Richard Vogel as its community leader. Vogel will focus on initiatives to support Cetera financial advisors in identifying and pursuing growth opportunities, leveraging his two decades of experience at firms including Ameriprise Financial Services and Merrill Lynch.
Independent Firm Launches, Digital Asset Manager Appoints New CEO
The wealth management landscape is also seeing the emergence of new players. Anna Rathbun has launched Grenadilla Advisory, an independent wealth firm specializing in personalized portfolios for both individual and family clients in public and private markets. Grenadilla Advisory will offer actively managed ETF-based strategies alongside alternative investment options. Rathbun’s experience includes roles as CIO and director of research for CBIZ Investment Advisory Services and managing director at Clearstead.
Meanwhile, Digital Wealth Partners, a digital asset investment management firm, has promoted Max Kahn to CEO. Kahn previously served as the firm’s chief compliance officer, where he played a crucial role in strengthening the firm’s compliance framework and strategic direction. His background also includes roles at Digital Asset Research and YieldX.
Strategic Partnerships Expand Advisor Capabilities
Collaboration is also a key theme this week. Fintech firm Pontera and wealth advisory firm Snowden Lane Partners have forged a partnership to provide Snowden Lane advisors with access to their clients’ 401(k)s, 403(b)s, and other held-away accounts through Pontera’s toolkit. This collaboration will enable advisors to manage a broader range of client assets for rebalancing, compliance, and billing purposes. Snowden Lane is led by chairman Lyle LaMothe, CEO Rob Mooney, and president & COO Greg Franks.
Investment Activity Fuels Growth Across Sectors
The week also saw significant investment and acquisition activity. ArcLight Capital Partners will acquire the Middletown Energy Center in Butler County, Ohio, marking a continued investment in power infrastructure for the firm, which has owned or operated over 65 GW of assets since 2001. The financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
Rossby Financial, a registered investment advisor (RIA), has partnered with Milemarker, a wealth management technology platform, to enhance client engagement and centralize client data. Rossby Financial has experienced a 70% increase in its financial advisor base since 2024 and currently manages approximately $358 million in assets as of June 2025.
M&A Activity Continues to Reshape the Industry
Mergers and acquisitions are also driving change. Odyssey Investment Partners is selling its portfolio company, Applied Technical Services (ATS), to SGS, a global testing and certification company, in a transaction valued at $1.3 billion. ATS, which employs approximately 2,100 people across 85 locations in the U.S., provides services to a diverse range of industries.
Kroll is set to acquire Madison Pacific, an independent financial services provider, from Vistra Group, to strengthen its client services in the Asia Pacific region and offer cross-border solutions.
Private Equity Firms Deploy Capital Strategically
Abry Partners, a Boston-based private equity firm, has made a strategic investment in Oracle Insurance Risk Management Services, aiming to bolster resources, enhance partnerships, and pursue M&A opportunities. This investment also marks Abry’s entry into the Canadian insurance distribution market.
Morgan Stanley Private Equity Solutions successfully raised $280 million for its North Haven Venture Capital Opportunities Fund I (VCO I), exceeding its $250 million target. Since 1999, the team has committed over $27 billion to over 1,200 private markets investments.
Shore Capital Partners closed a $450 million funding round for its Shore Capital Food & Beverage Partners Fund III, bringing the firm’s total assets under management to approximately $13 billion. The fund will focus on investments in lower-middle-market companies within the food and beverage sector.
Manulife Investment Management secured $1.1 billion in its final round of funding for Manulife Co-Investment Partners III, surpassing its $750 million target. As of March 31, Manulife IM’s private equity and credit platform manages over $28 billion in assets.
Finally, Levine Leichtman Capital Partners closed its seventh flagship fund, LLCP Fund VII, with $3.6 billion in commitments, continuing its strategy of investing in middle market businesses. .
These developments collectively demonstrate a dynamic and evolving financial services landscape, driven by innovation, strategic partnerships, and robust investment activity.
