Mariner is looking to solidify its status as a destination for independent-minded advisors as one of its partners in the West Coast undergoes a key transition.
On Wednesday, the mega-RIA announced that Ocean Heights Advisors, a Newport Beach, California-based wealth management firm with $730 million in assets under advisement, is in the process of being fully integrated with Mariner's operations.
The transition marks a step in Mariner’s strategy to provide financial advisors with structured succession pathways while maintaining continuity for clients.
Ocean Heights Advisors had previously been part of the Mariner Independent platform, which allows firms to retain autonomy while receiving operational, compliance, and marketing support.
"Transitioning Ocean Heights ... clearly signals to our independent partners that exciting opportunities lie ahead," Marty Bicknell, CEO and president of Mariner, said Wednesday. "This shift improves team collaboration, provides expanded benefits to associates and reinforces our commitment to delivering best-in-class financial advisory services."
Ocean Heights first joined Mariner Independent in 2022, a partnership that contributed to the firm’s ability to scale its services and nearly double its assets under advisement. Prior to Mariner, the firm was affiliated with Miracle Mile Advisors, which rebranded to Composition Wealth in February and more recently welcomed two new partners wiith nearly $1 billion in combined AUM under its new moniker.
As part of Mariner, Ocean Heights will gain access to additional growth channels while maintaining continuity for its clients.
"Our partnership with Mariner has been instrumental in accelerating our growth," said Kevin Barlow, managing partner of Ocean Heights Advisors.
"After three years of successfully working together, fully integrating with Mariner is a natural evolution and will allow our team to provide even greater value to our clients while devoting more time to the personal relationships that have always been our hallmark," he added.
The entire Ocean Heights team, including founders Kevin O’Grady and Nella Webster, will remain in their roles under a multi-generational succession plan. Current Ocean Heights partners Barlow, Danielle Bronner, and Kara Devar will become shareholders in Mariner, with Barlow leading Mariner’s expanded presence in Newport Beach.
The agreement was signed in December 2024, with the transition set to take effect on April 1.
Mariner, which was founded in 2006 with $300 million in assets under advisement, now oversees more than $560 billion as of January 3. That total counts its January deal for Cardinal Investment Advisors, not to be confused with Cardinal Point, the Canada-based wealth hub within the colossal Focus Financial RIA platform.
Mariner has set an ambitious growth target for itself, with Bicknell aiming to grow the firm's advisor base to 5,000. That goal got fresh support in October when Mariner announced a strategic minority investment from Neuberger Berman.
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