Advisor Group, one of the nation’s largest independent wealth management networks, announced a series of executive level changes Tuesday, as the company prepares itself to add both new firms and advisors to its network following a major merger with Ladenburg Thalmann.
Advisor Group has appointed former LPL executive Gregory Cornick to the newly created position of president of advice and wealth management. Other promotions have fused the management of Advisor Group and Ladenburg.
Jamie Price, Advisor Group’s president and CEO, said in an e-mail that the company will be ready to pursue acquisitions when opportunities present themselves, but the firm is first adjusting to changes created by the Ladenburg acquisition, which was accomplished in February, as well as monitoring the impacts of the coronavirus.
Price added, “We are committed to continuing to invest in top talent and personnel. Our ongoing mission is to ensure that we remain the preferred home for independent advisors, irrespective of their preferred business model or how they serve their clients, and that means continuing to be proactive in adding people to our team.”
Since the world is dealing with the coronavirus pandemic, Price said, “Just as advisors’ clients need guidance and reassurance from their financial professionals, we know that advisors need the same from us, and that’s driving everything we do throughout this difficult time. We firmly believe that Advisor Group and the financial professionals we support are going to come through this challenge even stronger than before.”
Disruptions like those created by COVID-19 “bring advisors’ value for clients home to roost, so to speak,” Price said. “Those financial professionals who are communicating effectively and helping to keep their clients informed and connected will come out of this time with more clients—and more loyal clients—than they had before.”