A new firm has been launched in Tennessee with a presence in 12 states overall.

A new firm in the shape of Hickory Growth Partners, a partner-owned financial services company serving primarily high net worth clients and institutions, has launched in Memphis, TN.

Hickory Growth Partners has partnered with Aequitas Capital, Gavion and HighTower to serve advisors in the south and south-central regions of the US.

The firm has been established by its chief executive, James Ganier, who has over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry and was previously senior vice president and branch manager of E F Hutton’s Memphis operations. He has also served as vice chairman and president of the private client group at Morgan Keegen.

Aequitas has committed "tens of millions of dollars" in capital to Hickory Growth Partners, the firm said, and is providing it with human resources, accounting and other back-office infrastructure.

Gavion, a financial investment advisory firm also based in Memphis, will provide advisors with access to institutional investment opportunities.

Meanwhile, through HighTower, Hickory will have access to an open-architecture investment platform as well as operational infrastructure and teams that will help advisors transfer assets and clients.