Our History
Hightower Advisors was founded in 2008 with the conviction that fiduciary financial advisors deserve access to resources that let them focus solely on doing what’s best for their clients. Our partnership model modernized the registered investment advisor (RIA) industry. We’ve since grown into a collective of more than 100 advisory firms across the country, with more than $70 billion in total assets served (as of 12/31/19).
Hightower founded
Capital Raised: $65M
Established capital markets trading desk
Major media exposure: Forbes magazine
Transitioned 10th team and opened 10th office
4 practices had a Barron's-ranked advisor
Launched Advisor Marketing, Global Investment Solutions, and Transitions
First profitable quarter
#13 on INC.500, #5 on Wealth Manager (Forbes), #1 destination for breakaway advisors, InvestmentNews, 2012
Recruited First Platform team
Honored as "a gold standard for boutique wealth management" by Cerulli Associates
Launched Blueprint for Growth: best practices by advisors, for advisors
Record year in business development: 8 employee deals, 5 Platform deals
Increase bank debt financing to $150M
354% increase in engaged Platform prospects
First RIA to join the Platform, IronGate Partners
Launched #UnobstructedLife to promote financial wellness
Announced intent to acquire WealthTrust, which includes $6.4B in client assets nationwide
Entered Recapitalization Agreement with Thomas H. Lee Partners
With a new CEO, Bob Oros, and new executive team, Hightower shifts from a wirehouse liftout model to an acquirer of successful RIA firms delivering both capital and scale to its 100+ advisory businesses
