Mesirow Wealth Management has recruited Paul Arnold, former Global Head of Multi-Asset Research at Morningstar Investment Management, to the newly created position of Managing Director, Head of Investment Solutions, as the Chicago-based firm deepens its push to differentiate its investment platform for advisors and high-net-worth clients.
A company announcement released October 6, 2026, says that in his new role, Arnold will oversee strategic asset allocation, manager research and due diligence, portfolio construction and the development of proprietary investment solutions.
The hire is the latest move in a period of deliberate expansion for Mesirow Wealth Management, an employee-owned firm that has been ranked a Barron's Top 100 RIA Firm for five consecutive years and manages approximately $14 billion in assets under management and advisement as of March 31, 2026.
Arnold brings more than two decades of investment management experience, most of it in multi-asset portfolio construction and research.
At Morningstar Investment Management, he served as the lead portfolio manager for the firm's ETF Asset Allocation, Active-Passive Asset Allocation and ESG Asset Allocation managed portfolio series, overseeing a team that managed more than $10 billion in assets. His background bridges quantitative research and practical portfolio implementation – a combination Mesirow said is central to what the firm wants in this role.
"We're continuing to build a best-in-class investment platform for our advisors and clients, and bringing Paul in is an important step in that strategy," said Brian D. Price, CEO of Mesirow Wealth Management. "Paul's depth of experience in investment research, portfolio construction, manager due diligence and investment solutions will help us continue to strengthen and differentiate our offering."
Arnold framed the move as an opportunity to extend his work translating complex research into usable client strategies. "Joining Mesirow Wealth Management is an exciting opportunity to work alongside a talented team that is laser-focused on helping people achieve their financial goals," he said. "I look forward to building on the firm's strong investment capabilities and deepening the resources we have to support and empower our advisors and clients."
The Arnold appointment reflects a broader pattern at Mesirow Wealth Management, which has accelerated its build-out on multiple fronts.
The firm expanded its high-net-worth offering in September 2023 through the acquisition of Chicago-based Front Barnett Associates, a registered investment advisor with more than $1.2 billion in client assets at the time of the deal. The following year, it added Florida-based Price Wealth Management. More recently, it acquired LeafHouse Financial Advisors, a deal that closed July 1, 2026.
Investment platform depth has emerged as a key competitive differentiator for wealth firms competing for both advisor talent and affluent clients.
Mesirow's decision to create a dedicated Head of Investment Solutions role – and to fill it with someone who ran a multi-billion-dollar multi-asset operation – suggests the firm is positioning its research capabilities as a distinct selling point rather than a secondary function.
Arnold's responsibilities will span across Mesirow's wealth advisory team, which currently includes 40 wealth advisors in the Chicago area. He holds the Chartered Financial Analyst designation from the CFA Institute and holds graduate degrees in analytical finance and economics from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.
Eight in 10 pre-retirees say the US retirement system wasn't built for them and most still haven't planned how to make their money last.
Just over 10% of advisors' wealth clients come from defined contribution plans, as capacity, data and technology gaps block the bridge to wealth
Deal creates a $20B-plus custody platform for private market investing in IRAs, months after Schwab closed its Forge Global purchase
Despite the good times, advisors should tread carefully, said one veteran industry executive.
Gallagher data reveals a huge gap in financial confidence between employees who work with an advisor and those who don't.
Knighthead Life entered the market with a competitive MYGA. A strong launch earned advisor confidence and paved the way for FIAs.
As AI makes financial information more accessible than ever, Lana Hock explains why human judgment, trust, and empathy remain the qualities clients value most in a financial advisor
