AlphaTrAI taps industry veterans to leadership, exec advisory council

AlphaTrAI taps industry veterans to leadership, exec advisory council
The tech-enabled solutions provider eyes its next growth phase with experienced leaders from Tudor, Putnam Investments, and Merrill Lynch.
AUG 30, 2024

AlphaTrAI, a tech-enabled service provider for the wealth and asset management industries, has made significant additions to its leadership team and executive advisory council.

The firm has appointed Robert Marsh as head of asset management technology services and Matthew Higgins as head of compliance consulting technology.

“Maximizing our capabilities to support the dynamic needs of this industry requires having the right team to deliver consistent and exceptional client service,” AlphaTrAI Chairman and CEO Bill Dwyer said in a statement.

The new appointments are part of AlphaTrAI’s ongoing efforts to enhance its capabilities following its deal last week to snap up Anchor Advisory Services, a provider of scheduling and sales management solutions for the financial services sector.

Marsh, who will lead the asset management technology services division, brings over three decades of experience in markets and investing. He previously held senior roles at Tudor Investments and Kensho Technologies, which was acquired by S&P, and most recently served as chief information officer at the nonprofit JUST Capital.

Higgins, who will oversee compliance consulting technology, spent 23 years at Putnam Investments, where he played a key role in developing compliance tools and overseeing global distribution compliance efforts.

"Rob and Matt complement the recent acquisition of Anchor Financial," said AlphaTrAI president John Sweeney, who joined the firm's leadership in April. "Rob will help build out our investment capabilities, and Matt will leverage AI to scale compliance oversight for our clients.”

Industry veterans John L. "Launny" Steffens, Catherine A. Saunders, and Larry Anders have also joined the company's executive advisory council.

Steffens, who founded Spring Mountain Capital in 2001, had a distinguished 38-year career at Merrill Lynch, where he grew the firm’s Private Client Group from $200 billion to $1.6 trillion in AUM. Saunders, with 37 years in the asset management industry, held multiple senior roles at Putnam Investments, including head of its RIA business and private bank and trust.

Anders, a veteran in the life insurance industry, co-founded Anders Smith and Associates and Summit Alliance Financial.

“The successful acquisition of Anchor, incredible additions to our executive team, and investments from Launny, Cathy, and Larry, each an industry titan, [give us] a strong foundation to enter our next phase as a leading AI-enabled technology solutions provider for the wealth and asset management industries,” Dwyer said.

Latest News

Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients
Maryland bars advisor over charging excessive fees to clients

Blue Anchor Capital Management and Pickett also purchased “highly aggressive and volatile” securities, according to the order.

Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors
Wave of SEC appointments signals regulatory shift with implications for financial advisors

Reshuffle provides strong indication of where the regulator's priorities now lie.

US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel
US insurers want to take a larger slice of the retirement market through the RIA channel

Goldman Sachs Asset Management report reveals sharpened focus on annuities.

Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice
Why DA Davidson's wealth vice chairman still follows his dad's investment advice

Ahead of Father's Day, InvestmentNews speaks with Andrew Crowell.

401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors
401(k) participants seek advice, but few turn to financial advisors

Cerulli research finds nearly two-thirds of active retirement plan participants are unadvised, opening a potential engagement opportunity.

SPONSORED RILAs bring stability, growth during volatile markets

Barely a decade old, registered index-linked annuities have quickly surged in popularity, thanks to their unique blend of protection and growth potential—an appealing option for investors looking to chart a steadier course through today’s choppy market waters, says Myles Lambert, Brighthouse Financial.

SPONSORED Beyond the dashboard: Making wealth tech human

How intelliflo aims to solve advisors' top tech headaches—without sacrificing the personal touch clients crave