Creative a planning, one of the nations’ lasrgest registered investment advisors, has acquired Stratford Consulting, a Texas-based boutique wealth firm with $618 million in assets under management.
Stratford Consulting, which was founded in 2003 in Addison, is led by Susan Schildt and Michael Hemp.
"In Creative Planning we have found a company with deep resources and an outstanding reputation that also shares our view of how to best treat and work with clients. We could not be more excited about joining the Creative Planning team,” Schildt said in a prepared statement.
Creative Planning had a busy 2019 with four acquisitions. In February, it acquired The Johnston Group LLC in Minneapolis, adding about $500 million in assets. In September, it acquired America's Best 401(k) in Scottsdale, Ariz., adding an estimated $1 billion in assets. In November, it acquired OptiFour Integrated Wealth Management in McLean, Va., adding $400 million in assets. And, in December, it acquired Hogan Financial of Milwaukee, adding $300 million in AUM.
Peter Mallouk, CEO of Creative Planning, said although the firm already has a substantial presence in the Dallas metro area, the addition of Stratford Consulting will augment plans to become far more competitive in that market.
“Susan Schildt and Michael Hemp have built a remarkable practice with a best in class reputation serving high net worth individuals. We are delighted to have them join our team,” he said is a statement.
Headquartered in Oveland Park, Texas, Creative Planning manages approximately $48 billion in assets across all 50 states.