LPL Financial announced today that a former HSBC advisor who managed about $400 million in advisory, brokerage and retirement plan assets has joined its broker-dealer, hybrid registered investment advisor and custodial platforms, according to a news release.

Scott E. Howell has aligned with Gladstone Wealth Partners. He is based in Gladstone’s Chester, N.J., headquarters, with plans to open a new partner office in Summit, N.J. He also will continue to serve his clients in the New York City area, the release said.

Howell, who began his career in 1998 at Merrill Lynch, spent 13 years at HSBC. He previously worked at Chase Investment Services and Citicorp Investment Services, according to his BrokerCheck profile. The release noted that he has been serving wealthy families, executives and small businesses, providing personalized advice tailored to each client’s needs.

“I’ve spent years researching and analyzing the advisory industry. I believe that the independent model is the best-case scenario for my clients. It’s always been my end game,” Howell said in a statement. “LPL is a publicly traded Fortune 500 company that provides all of the tools and resources that I need to deliver for my clients and be the best advisor possible. LPL has the scale, products, technology and compliance oversight that my clients require.”

He added that Gladstone provides an additional layer of culture and infrastructure to help his practice thrive. “I really enjoy being back in the advisor culture. The move allows me to dedicate all of my time exclusively to my clients. I am more focused and streamlined than ever before, backed by great partners, research and resources,” he said.

Robert Hudson, founder and chairman of Gladstone Wealth Partners, said they are proud to partner with Howell on his journey to independence. “The trend is building momentum as more advisors continue to move to independence, and we are here to provide personalized support every step of the way,” he said.

Added Scott Posner, LPL executive vice president, business development: “The demand for our flexible business model continues to grow as advisors realize they have a choice in how they build their practices and serve their clients. We believe that advisors know their clients best, and they should be able to build a perfect practice that helps them deliver what their clients need and value,” he said. “We look forward to supporting Scott and the Gladstone team for years to come.”