Advisor moves: UBS exodus continues as Merrill makes additions in California, Texas

Advisor moves: UBS exodus continues as Merrill makes additions in California, Texas
From left: Damien Hedley, Tony Brookfield, and Kim Sheets at Merrill Private Wealth Management.
Meanwhile, an experienced Connecticut advisor has cut ties with Edelman Financial Engines, and Raymond James' independent division welcomes a Washington-based duo.
SEP 02, 2025

Merrill, Prime Capital Financial, and Raymond James are kicking off the September calendar of advisor recruitment, with each announcing new additions across key markets.

UBS advisors decamp to Merrill

In San Francisco, Merrill Private Wealth Management picked up Damian Hedley and Tony Brookfield, a team that previously worked at UBS Financial Services and oversees about $450 million in client assets.

They will join Merrill’s West private wealth division, which is under the leadership of Regional Managing Director Tracy Murphy. Hedley and Brookfield are also joined by two support members, Private Wealth Senior Relationship Manager Emma Carey and Private Wealth Client Associate Colby Brookfield, the firm said.

Merrill also announced Tuesday that financial advisor Kim Sheets joined its Corpus Christi office from UBS, bringing roughly $160 million in client assets. Together with client associate Kimberly Sellars, Sheets is stepping in as the newest advisor in the Lone Star Market led by Market Executive Heather Walsh, the statement said.

The moves at Merrill come immediately after another spate of defections from UBS in Texas, which saw JPMorgan Wealth Management swipe two advisor groups as RBC welcomed a pioneering woman advisor to a multi-generational team overseeing more than $1 billion in assets.

Experienced Edelman advisor hops to Prime Capital Financial

Prime Capital Financial said it has expanded its Northeast footprint with the hire of Ed Callahan, who left Edelman Financial Engines after more than 15 years in planning roles.

Based in Connecticut, Callahan provides personalized advice with a focus on retirement planning. He will operate from Prime Capital’s Hartford area location, according to the release announcing his move.

Glenn Spencer, chief executive officer of Prime Capital Financial, said in the announcement that Callahan’s “thoughtful approach to guiding individuals and families toward meaningful financial outcomes reflects the same values we prioritize.”

Callahan said joining Prime Capital Financial presents “an opportunity to grow within a firm that values integrity, collaboration, and personalized planning.”

Callahan's move is the latest in a series of departures from Edelman to other firms this year. In July, Chicago-based Choreo found its new CEO in Jason Van de Loo, who previously headed Edelman's wealth management business. In February, RFG Advisory welcomed Patrick Strodtman, who left behind his role as Edelman's director of financial planning to launch his own eponymous firm.

Raymond James adds indie advisor duo in Washington

Also on Tuesday, Raymond James reported it welcomed a Washington‑state advisor duo previously managing more than $170 million to its independent advisor channel, Raymond James Financial Services.

Based on Wenatchee, Jamie Hampton and Eric Leonhardt moved over to RJFS from CliftonLarsonAllen Wealth Advisors.

A 24-year veteran of the industry, Hampton joined CliftonLarsenAllen Wealth Advisors in 2010. Leonhardt entered the industry as a registered broker and investment advisor affiliated with Thrivent in 2017, before transitioning to CliftonLarsonAllen in 2019.

Latest News

Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026
Mesirow acquires part of flexPATH in second retirement deal of 2026

Chicago-based Mesirow Fiduciary Solutions adds flexPATH's plan-level outsourced fiduciary book, boosting its retirement market reach to $164 billion.

Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida
Advisor moves: LPL lands $350M veteran advisor duo in Florida

Also, Raymond James's employee advisor channel adds breakaways from Wells Fargo and Stifel, while UBS welcomes an ex-Morgan Stanley duo in Indiana.

SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme
SEC accuses crypto firm founder of running $425 million Ponzi scheme

It promised guaranteed principal and 10% monthly returns. The SEC says it invested nothing.

MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products
MassMutual Ascend tops $2 billion in RIA annuity sales as advisors warm to income products

Ten years after entering the fee-based annuity market, MassMutual Ascend says nearly half its lifetime sales came in the past two years alone – but barriers remain among fee-only advisors.

Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations
Fintech bytes: Wealth tech firms target advisor productivity with new integrations

Amplify, WealthReach, Zeplyn and Zocks have unveiled partnerships aimed at automating portfolio management, content creation, account opening, and client communication.

SPONSORED Direct indexing webinar targets tax-loss harvesting amid market swings

Northern Trust’s Ken Lassner shows advisors how to convert volatility into after-tax portfolio gains

SPONSORED Who builds the income when the pension disappears?

Dan Biagini of American Equity says the steady decline of pensions, longer lifespans and a reset in interest rates are rewriting how advisors build retirement income