Baker Street Advisors Names First CEO, Elevates CIO to Partner in Strategic Leadership Shake-Up

SAN FRANCISCO, Feb. 24, 2026 – Baker Street Advisors, a leading wealth management firm with over $20 billion in client assets, today announced a significant evolution in its leadership structure, appointing long-time partner Christopher Wilkens to the newly created role of Chief Executive Officer. In a concurrent move, the firm named its Chief Investment Officer, Peter Hand, as a Partner, expanding its leadership group to 11 executives.

The appointments, effective immediately, signal a deliberate strategy by the prominent SEC-registered investment advisor to fortify its executive team for future growth while reinforcing the core principles that have defined its 20-year history. As the largest single-office wealth manager in the United States, Baker Street is positioning itself to navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape with a blend of seasoned leadership and innovative expertise.

A New Era Built on a Proven Foundation

Christopher Wilkens, a partner at the firm since 2007 and most recently the Chair of its Executive Committee, steps into the CEO role with nearly two decades of experience within Baker Street's walls. His promotion from within is a clear nod to the value the firm places on continuity and internal talent cultivation. In his new capacity, Wilkens will guide the firm’s strategic direction, building upon its legacy of providing objective advice to more than 500 financially sophisticated families and endowments.

“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 in a statement. “At the end of the day, it’s not just about what you earn, it’s about what you keep.”

The move is seen by colleagues as a natural progression. “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,” commented Wendy Umphrey, a Partner at the firm. “Both are dependable, effective leaders who will help steer our firm successfully into the future.”

Blending Institutional Experience with Quantitative Innovation

The new leadership team embodies a powerful combination of institutional experience and modern, data-driven strategy. Wilkens’ career before Baker Street includes co-founding VERITY Wealth Advisors and a decade as an institutional derivatives salesperson at powerhouse firms like Goldman Sachs, Barclays, and Merrill Lynch. His deep background in complex financial instruments, coupled with his 2001 Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation and recognition on Forbes' 2025 Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list, provides him with a unique perspective to guide the firm’s high-net-worth clientele.

Joining him in the expanded partnership is Peter Hand, who was recruited in 2024 to be the firm's first Chief Investment Officer. Hand’s elevation to Partner after a relatively short tenure underscores the impact he has already made. He leads the firm’s Investment Strategy Group, overseeing portfolio construction, risk management, and asset allocation. His background is steeped in quantitative analysis, having previously served as Director of Quantitative Strategies at Aperio Group and held senior research roles at Barclays Global Investors, now part of BlackRock. Hand has also contributed to academic discourse with publications on after-tax asset management in prestigious outlets like the Financial Analysts Journal.

Jim Milligan, Partner and member of the Executive Committee, highlighted the synergy of their leadership. “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,” he stated. “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 Enduring Power of the Partnership Model

In an industry marked by frequent mergers and acquisitions, Baker Street Advisors' commitment to its single-office, partnership-driven model stands out. The firm’s decision to expand its partnership rather than consolidate or sell to a larger entity reinforces a culture of shared ownership and long-term commitment. This structure is designed to align the interests of the firm's leaders directly with the success of their clients, fostering stability and attracting top-tier talent who seek a vested interest in their work.

While the firm became an affiliate of AMG Wealth Partners in 2015, it has maintained its independent RIA structure and distinct culture. The partnership model is a key component of this identity, promoting a collaborative environment where decisions are made for the long-term health of the firm and its clients, rather than to meet the quarterly demands of public markets. Elevating Hand to partner serves as a powerful message that this path to ownership remains a core part of the firm's talent retention and development strategy.

This leadership transition solidifies Baker Street's market position as it continues to grow, with assets under advisement climbing from $17 billion in late 2024 to over $20 billion today. By creating the CEO role, the firm is professionalizing its management structure to handle this scale, ensuring it can continue to provide the customized, tax-efficient, and fiduciary-level service that its ultra-high-net-worth clients and institutional partners have come to expect.