Mercer Advisors names principal to lead M&A integration

Mercer Advisors names principal to lead M&A integration
The RIA giant is redoubling its inorganic growth focus as it elevates Martine Lellis to a newly created leadership role.
MAY 16, 2024

Mercer Advisors is redoubling its efforts at inorganic growth with a newly appointed leadership role its mergers and acquisitions team.

The national RIA announced that it has elevated Martine Lellis, previously the company's chief talent officer since 2020, into the newly created position of principal of M&A partner development.

The appointment aligns with Mercer Advisors' ongoing strategy to bolster its M&A efforts, which have gained significant momentum since starting in 2016.

“Martine’s deep understanding of our client and advisor experience, as well as her years of building, developing, and growing our talent, make her an invaluable asset in identifying and integrating like-minded firms into our organization,” Dave Welling, CEO of Mercer Advisors, said in a statement.

Dave Barton, who transitioned from CEO to vice chairman in 2017 to focus on M&A, leads the team that Lellis is joining.

The company has made over 85 acquisitions over the past eight years, emphasizing an "integrate not aggregate" approach. Most recently, the firm bolstered its UHNW presence in the Pacific Northwest as it snapped up MDK Wealth Management, a $2.5 billion mega-practice in Seattle.

“We recognize that owners of RIA firms have many options and care deeply about the impact on their clients, employees, and themselves,” Welling said.

“Our C-Suite approach to the leadership on our M&A Partner Development team is grounded in connecting the principals of firms considering selling their businesses with executives who have built, run, and guided the evolution of an RIA themselves,” he said.

With nearly two decades of experience in the independent wealth management sector, Lellis began her career at Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney in 2002, eventually becoming the chief operating officer.

In her new role, Lellis is expected to enhance Mercer Advisors' ability to identify and integrate like-minded firms into its organization.

“M&A is one of the indispensable ways that we build the organization’s talent, experience, and capabilities,” Lellis said, underscoring the importance of talent mapping, career pathing, and compensation in deal decision-making and ensuring a successful integration.

“I couldn’t be more excited about representing Mercer Advisors in the industry and working with other RIA owners to discover the best option for themselves, their employees, and their clients,” she said. Mercer Advisors is now conducting a national search to find a new chief talent officer to replace Lellis in her former role.

Latest News

Farther debuts AI investment proposal tool for advisors to win clients
Farther debuts AI investment proposal tool for advisors to win clients

"Im glad to see that from a regulatory perspective, we're going to get the ability to show we're responsible [...] we'll have a little bit more freedom to innovate," Farther co-founder Brad Genser told InvestmentNews.

Barred ex-Merrill Lynch advisor arrested in alleged $2.6M theft of former Miami Dolphin Pro Bowler
Barred ex-Merrill Lynch advisor arrested in alleged $2.6M theft of former Miami Dolphin Pro Bowler

Former advisor Isaiah Williams allegedly used the stolen funds from ex-Dolphins defensive safety Reshad Jones for numerous personal expenses, according to police and court records.

Are you optimally efficient?
Are you optimally efficient?

Taking a systematic approach to three key practice areas can help advisors gain confidence, get back time, and increase their opportunities.

Advisor moves: Father-son duo leaves Raymond James for LPL, RayJay adds Merrill Lynch alum in Florida
Advisor moves: Father-son duo leaves Raymond James for LPL, RayJay adds Merrill Lynch alum in Florida

Meanwhile, Osaic lures a high-net-worth advisor from Commonwealth in the Pacific Northwest.

Beacon Pointe adds six RIAs in two-month acquisition spree, boosting AUM by $2.7B
Beacon Pointe adds six RIAs in two-month acquisition spree, boosting AUM by $2.7B

The deals, which include its first stake in Ohio, push the national women-led firm up to $47 billion in assets.

SPONSORED How advisors can build for high-net-worth complexity

Orion's Tom Wilson on delivering coordinated, high-touch service in a world where returns alone no longer set you apart.

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.