Steward Partners Global Advisory, LLC

Steward Partners is an employee-owned, independent financial services firm specializing in comprehensive wealth management solutions. Established in 2013, the firm's core mission is to provide wealth management services for families, businesses, and multigenerational investors, fostering a culture of collaboration and excellence. Steward Partners relocated its corporate headquarters to Stamford, Connecticut, in September 2025.

The firm offers a broad range of services, including comprehensive wealth planning, investment strategy implementation, professional asset management, private banking, institutional consulting, international advisory, and business solutions. Operating as both an SEC-registered investment adviser (Steward Partners Investment Advisory, LLC) and a registered broker/dealer (Steward Partners Investment Solutions, LLC), Steward Partners managed or advised on approximately $44 billion in client assets as of July 2025, growing to nearly $50 billion by December 2025.

Led by CEO and Co-Founder Jim Gold and President & COO Hy Saporta, Steward Partners has experienced significant growth and industry recognition. In December 2025, the firm secured $475 million in strategic capital from Ares Credit funds, aimed at accelerating recruiting, mergers and acquisitions, and technology investments. Steward Partners was ranked #9 on Barron's 2025 Top 100 RIA Firms list and has been recognized multiple times on Inc. 5000's list of fastest-growing private companies. The firm continues to expand its national footprint, adding over $2.33 billion in new client assets in Q1 2026.

Latest updates

Steward Partners' Advisor Recognition Signals Cultural Emphasis on Client-Centric Planning

Event summary

  • 14 advisors from Steward Partners were named to InvestmentNews' 2026 5-Star Financial Planners list.
  • The recognition highlights advisors across multiple disciplines and markets within Steward Partners.
  • Steward Partners manages approximately $50 billion in client assets as of December 2025.
  • The firm was ranked #9 RIA in the country by Barron's in 2025, managing over $70 billion in assets to qualify.

The big picture

Steward Partners' emphasis on a client-centric culture, as evidenced by this recognition, represents a growing trend among RIAs seeking to differentiate themselves through advisor experience and holistic planning. The firm's employee-owned structure and recent ranking by Barron's suggest a focus on long-term stability and advisor satisfaction, which can be a powerful draw for both talent and clients. The firm's $50 billion AUM demonstrates a significant scale, but continued growth will depend on maintaining this competitive edge.

What we're watching

Talent Retention
The firm's ability to retain these highly-rated advisors will be a key indicator of its ongoing success and competitive advantage in attracting and keeping top talent.
Client Growth
Whether this recognition translates into increased client acquisition and AUM growth will demonstrate the effectiveness of Steward Partners' client-centric approach.
Competitive Landscape
The firm's continued success in attracting and retaining top advisors will be tested as other independent firms increasingly emphasize similar cultural and client-focused values.

Steward Partners Gains Advisor Recognition Amidst Industry Consolidation

Event summary

  • Steward Partners had 29 advisors recognized on the 2026 Forbes | SHOOK Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list.
  • The firm manages approximately $50 billion in client assets as of December 2025.
  • Two advisors, Peter Silcox and David Lum, were recognized while affiliated with Raymond James, joining Steward Partners in Q1 2026.
  • The firm was ranked #9 on Barron's Top 100 RIAs in 2025, requiring a minimum of $70 billion in assets to qualify.

The big picture

The recognition highlights Steward Partners' success in attracting and retaining high-quality advisors, a crucial factor in the increasingly competitive RIA market. The firm's employee-owned structure and focus on advisor support appear to be resonating, but the recent awards for advisors previously at Raymond James suggest a potential strategy of poaching talent. The firm's ranking on Barron's underscores its scale and ambition within the broader financial services industry.

What we're watching

Advisor Retention
The firm's ability to retain advisors, particularly Silcox and Lum post-award, will be a key indicator of its cultural integration success and competitive positioning.
Growth Trajectory
Continued advisor recruitment and AUM growth will be essential to maintain Steward Partners' position within the competitive RIA landscape.
Competitive Dynamics
The ongoing competition for top talent between independent firms and larger broker-dealers will likely intensify, impacting Steward Partners' ability to attract and retain high-performing advisors.

Steward Partners Adds $2.3 Billion in Assets, Accelerating RIA Growth

Event summary

  • Steward Partners added $2.33 billion in assets during Q1 2026, through five advisor teams.
  • The affiliated teams include Lum Wealth Management ($380M), Silcox & Avonda ($800M), Watson & Durham ($624M), Centura ($130M), and Scharf & Selden ($400M).
  • This follows a Q4 2025 in which Steward Partners added $3.87 billion in assets and opened seven new offices.
  • Steward Partners is currently ranked #9 on the 2025 Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list, up from #18 in 2024.

The big picture

Steward Partners' aggressive growth strategy underscores the ongoing trend of RIA consolidation and the appeal of independent, employee-owned models. The firm's ability to attract teams managing over $2 billion signals a willingness among advisors to prioritize flexibility and partnership over traditional firm affiliations. This momentum positions Steward Partners to further challenge established players in the wealth management space and potentially accelerate its own M&A activity.

What we're watching

Growth Sustainability
Whether Steward Partners can maintain this pace of asset acquisition, given the competitive landscape for advisor talent and the potential for integration challenges.
OneSteward Model
The effectiveness of Steward Partners’ ‘OneSteward’ model in retaining acquired teams and advisors, as the firm expands geographically and increases complexity.
Succession Planning
How Steward Partners’ succession planning capabilities will be leveraged to ensure continuity and minimize disruption as acquired teams integrate and senior advisors retire.

Steward Partners Advisors Rank Among Nation's Elite, Signaling Continued Growth

Event summary

  • Two Steward Partners advisors, Todd Hoffman and Stephen Spector, were recognized on Barron's 2026 1,500 Top Advisors list.
  • Steward Partners has risen from #18 to #9 on the 2025 Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list.
  • The firm was also named a 2025 Thrivent Employer of Choice by InvestmentNews.
  • Steward Partners manages approximately $50 billion in client assets as of December 2025.
  • The firm has experienced substantial growth since its launch in 2013.

The big picture

Steward Partners' consistent recognition on prestigious rankings like Barron's and InvestmentNews underscores the firm's success in attracting and retaining top talent within a highly competitive RIA market. The firm's employee-owned model appears to be a significant driver of this success, fostering a culture that attracts both advisors and clients. This rapid growth, however, presents challenges in maintaining its unique culture and sustaining its competitive edge as it manages a substantial $50 billion in assets.

What we're watching

Advisor Retention
The firm's ability to retain these top-ranked advisors will be crucial to sustaining its growth trajectory and maintaining its competitive advantage.
Growth Trajectory
Whether Steward Partners can continue its rapid ascent in the RIA landscape, given the intensifying competition for high-net-worth clients and talent, remains to be seen.
Cultural Sustainability
The firm's employee-owned structure and emphasis on culture are key differentiators; the challenge will be maintaining this as it scales and integrates new talent.

Steward Partners' Women Advisors Garner Forbes Recognition Amid RIA Growth

Event summary

  • Steward Partners had three advisors – Alicia Fuller, Amy Sabin, and Leah Schwarz – recognized on the 2026 Forbes/SHOOK Best-In-State Top Women Wealth Advisors list.
  • The firm ranked #9 on the 2025 Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list, a significant increase from #18 in 2024.
  • Steward Partners was also named a 2025 Thrivent Employer of Choice by InvestmentNews.
  • As of December 2025, Steward Partners managed approximately $50 billion in client assets.

The big picture

Steward Partners' consistent recognition, particularly its rise in the Barron's rankings and the accolades for its female advisors, highlights the increasing importance of talent acquisition and retention in the competitive RIA landscape. The firm’s employee-owned structure and focus on culture appear to be contributing to its success, but rapid growth can also strain operational infrastructure and risk diluting the firm’s unique value proposition. The recognition of women advisors underscores the industry's broader effort to diversify leadership and cater to evolving client demographics.

What we're watching

Talent Retention
The firm's ability to retain these recognized advisors will be key to sustaining its growth trajectory and client relationships.
Growth Sustainability
Whether Steward Partners can maintain its rapid growth rate, particularly given the competitive landscape for RIA talent, warrants close observation.
Culture Impact
The impact of Steward Partners’ stated commitment to a collaborative culture on advisor productivity and client satisfaction should be monitored.

Steward Partners Adds $630 Million in Assets, Bolsters Georgia Presence

Event summary

  • Steward Partners acquired a wealth management team in Macon, Georgia, adding approximately $630 million in assets under management (AUM).
  • The acquired team consists of three partners: David Lucas, Kevin Watson, and Chris Durham, along with three Client Associate Managers.
  • The acquisition occurred on February 4, 2026, and the team will continue operating from their Macon office.
  • Steward Partners is ranked #9 on the 2025 Barron's Top 100 RIA Firms list, a significant increase from #18 in 2024.

The big picture

Steward Partners' acquisition demonstrates the ongoing consolidation within the RIA landscape, as established firms compete for experienced advisors and client assets. The firm's emphasis on employee ownership and a client-first approach appears to be a key differentiator in attracting teams, but the firm's continued success depends on effectively managing integration and retaining key personnel. With $50 billion in AUM as of late 2025, Steward Partners is a significant player in the RIA space, and its growth trajectory will be closely watched by competitors.

What we're watching

Integration Risk
The success of the acquisition hinges on Steward Partners' ability to effectively integrate the new team and retain their client base, which could be impacted by cultural differences or operational changes.
Advisor Retention
Continued advisor recruitment will be crucial for Steward Partners to maintain its growth trajectory, as the firm's model relies on attracting established teams seeking independence and equity.
Market Dynamics
The firm's ability to sustain its rapid growth will depend on its capacity to capitalize on the ongoing trend of independent advisors seeking alternatives to traditional brokerage models.
CID: 2554