Hightower Expands Family Office Services for Ultra-High-Net-Worth Clients

Why It Matters

The expansion equips independent wealth managers with institutional resources, enhancing service depth for ultra‑wealthy families while preserving advisor‑client relationships, a competitive edge in a crowded family‑office market.

Key Takeaways

• Hightower adds institutional consulting via majority stake in NEPC
• GTBA partnership brings business‑management expertise to family offices
• Advisors retain direct client relationships while accessing advanced resources
• Signature Wealth AUM surpasses $29 billion after Lexington acquisition
• Targeting entrepreneurs, executives, and multi‑generational ultra‑wealthy families

Pulse Analysis

The family‑office sector is undergoing rapid consolidation as ultra‑high‑net‑worth families demand holistic solutions that span investments, tax strategy, and business governance. Traditional independent RIAs often lack the scale to provide institutional‑level consulting, prompting firms like Hightower to create integrated platforms that bridge that gap. By bundling these capabilities, Hightower positions itself as a one‑stop shop for advisors seeking to deepen client service without sacrificing the personal relationship that defines boutique wealth management.

Central to Hightower’s strategy are its newly forged ties with NEPC and GTBA. The majority stake in NEPC grants advisors access to investment oversight that manages roughly $1.5 trillion across endowments, pensions, and family offices, dramatically elevating the analytical rigor available to independent firms. Meanwhile, GTBA’s expertise in business‑management and creative‑industry wealth adds a niche layer of advisory support, addressing the growing need for succession planning and operational guidance among families with concentrated business holdings. This dual‑track approach not only expands the firm’s service menu but also creates cross‑selling opportunities that can boost fee revenue.

Beyond the family‑office expansion, Hightower is accelerating growth through its Signature Wealth platform, now exceeding $29 billion in assets after absorbing Lexington Wealth Management’s $3.2 billion AUM. The appointment of Roberto Stewart to oversee technology, risk, and product integration signals a commitment to operational efficiency, a critical factor for scaling boutique advisory models. Collectively, these moves enhance Hightower’s competitive positioning against larger custodial banks and pure‑play family‑office providers, offering a compelling blend of institutional depth and personalized service for the most affluent clients.