Wilkens steps up to CEO at $20B AUA firm Baker Street Advisors

Baker Street Advisors has reshaped its senior leadership structure, naming a veteran executive to a newly established chief executive role while expanding its ownership ranks as the firm positions itself for continued growth in the ultra-high-net-worth advisory market.

The San Francisco-based RIA has appointed Christopher Wilkens as CEO, a position created as part of a broader leadership evolution. At the same time, chief investment officer Peter Hand has been admitted to the partnership, bringing the total number of executives in the partnership to 11.

Wilkens, who joined Baker Street nearly two decades ago and has been a partner since 2007, most recently chaired the firm’s executive committee. The firm oversees roughly $20 billion in client assets and serves more than 500 affluent families and institutional clients.

Baker Street, which was named among the InvestmentNews Top Independent High-Net-Worth Advisors in 2025, framed the promotion as a continuation of its long-standing advisory philosophy centered on tax efficiency and disciplined portfolio construction.

“I am delighted to step into this new position and lead the next phase of Baker Street’s growth, while staying true to our core approach: following a disciplined, transparent investment process that aims to maximize our clients’ after-tax returns,” said Wilkens. “At the end of the day, it’s not just about what you earn, it’s about what you keep. With over 100 years of collective experience, we know when to apply complexity, and when to keep things simple.”

Wilkens brings a background spanning both entrepreneurial and institutional finance. Before joining Baker Street in 2007, he co-founded VERITY Wealth Advisors and previously worked in derivatives sales roles at Merrill Lynch, Barclays and Goldman Sachs.

The elevation of Hand signals a parallel emphasis on investment strategy leadership. He became CIO in 2024 and oversees portfolio construction, risk oversight and investment communications. His prior experience includes senior roles at Aperio Group and Barclays Global Investors, businesses now under BlackRock’s umbrella.

Partners at the firm emphasized continuity alongside expansion in announcing the changes.

“I have had the pleasure of working with Chris for nearly two decades, and I know Baker Street is in excellent hands with him at the helm and Pete joining our partnership,” said partner Wendy Umphrey. “Both are dependable, effective leaders who will help steer our firm successfully into the future.”

Jim Milligan, also a partner and executive committee member, pointed to technology investment and innovation as central priorities going forward.

“Under Chris and Pete’s leadership, Baker Street is poised to enter our next chapter while maintaining our longstanding commitment to client and team success,” Milligan said. “They share in the understanding that ongoing investment in technology and innovation will help us continue to deliver clarity and discipline in managing the complex investment needs of our clients.”

The appointments come as large independent RIAs continue to formalize executive leadership structures to support scale, succession planning and increasingly complex client demands across tax, investment and planning services. Baker Street describes itself as the largest single-office wealth manager in the United States, providing fiduciary advice to families, foundations and institutions.