-Mark Dupont transitioned more than $7 billion in assets at Fidelity Investments

-Teams joining Focus Connections to benefit

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Focus Financial Partners, LLC (“Focus”), the leading partnership of independent wealth management firms, today announced the hire of Mark Dupont as Director, Advisor Services. Dupont will be responsible for transitioning breakaway advisors and client assets for the elite teams who form independent RIAs through the Focus Connections program, a comprehensive turnkey service that helps establish best-in-class RIA practices. Dupont will also lead the transition of breakaways joining existing Focus partner firms and affiliates as sub-acquisitions. Dupont will report into Rich Gill, Vice President and Head of Focus Connections.

Rudy Adolf, Founder and CEO of Focus, said, “Clients are demanding strictly fiduciary care that wirehouse advisors struggle to provide in a Wall Street environment riddled by conflict of interest. With the growing deficit of trust in Wall Street institutions, we expect to continue seeing clients and advisors voting with their feet and joining the independents. Focus is dedicated to championing these new firms by leveraging our resources as the largest independent wealth management partnership. ”

“Having moved more assets than any other custodian transition professional in recent years, Mark has shown tremendous aptitude for executing successful transitions of high-profile breakaway teams,” said Gill. “His superb client relationship skills and deep understanding of the fabric of both the independent RIA and brokerage businesses will ensure continued seamless breakaway transitions for the talented teams seeking independence with Focus Connections.”

Previously, Dupont was with Fidelity Investments, where he served as Implementation Manager for some of the largest teams in the industry that opted for independence over the past two and a half years. In this position, Dupont orchestrated or collaborated on over 50 transitions, working with the RIAs’ custodian(s) and systems providers to move more than $7 billion in assets.

Dupont said, “From my experience working alongside Focus, I saw the unparalleled level of expertise and commitment that Focus dedicates to the firms they work with. Focus’ ability to craft an RIA, carefully tailored to the partners’ own business plans and strengths, stood out among the numerous transitions I facilitated. They are a true partner, with a shared goal to build the best business for the new firm and its clients. It’s an honor to be a part of this organization and I look forward to getting started.”

Focus Connections is a turnkey business building service that supports leading wirehouse teams in establishing independent RIAs. Under the program, Focus provides the new RIA with an interim COO and an experienced team to customize and tailor the set-up of a best in class new business, including systems and infrastructure, custodian relations, compliance, marketing and PR, leveraging best practices from the leading group of independent RIAs in the country. Additionally, Focus has been instrumental in recruiting and transitioning advisors from wirehouse firms, banks, and trusts to join existing Focus partner firms. Since the launch of this program, Focus has supported 20 such transactions.

Dupont will also assume responsibility for technology and infrastructure upgrades at existing Focus partner firms – an ongoing effort enabling growth enhancement through operational efficiencies. With Fidelity, and prior to that Banc of America Investment Services, Dupont gained proficiency with numerous front and back-end systems, as well as optimal integration methodology.

Dupont, 28, is NASD Series 7, 24 and 63 certified. He earned his Bachelor of Science, Financial Management, from Salve Regina University in Newport, RI.

About Focus Financial Partners

Focus Financial Partners, LLC, is the leading international partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms. With over $40 billion in assets and over 650 employees, Focus Partners provide wealth management, benefit and investment consulting services to individuals, families, employers and institutions. Clients benefit from Focus’ Partners independence, unrivaled access and continuity. Focus principals maintain their entrepreneurial independence, benefit from the synergies, scale, economics and best practices of the market leader, and achieve an eventual, smooth ownership transition. For more information, please visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com

CONTACT:

Focus Financial Partners, LLC
Jennifer Geoghegan, +1 646-576-6586
jgeoghegan@ffpar.com
or
Cognito
Loretta Mock/Paul Damon, +1 646-395-6300
Focusfinancial@cognitomedia.com

KEYWORDS:   United States  North America  New York

INDUSTRY KEYWORDS:   Professional Services  Banking  Finance

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