The move underscores how Texas has seen an influx of firms in recent years, tapping into its varied sources of wealth.

San Francisco-based Robertson Stephens Wealth Management has extended its US footprint by opening an office in Houston, Texas.

Financial advisor, Christopher Knapp, is joining as managing director and principal, bringing with him about $200 million in assets. His arrival will also boost the firm’s profile in ESG, impact and sustainable investing, it said in a statement yesterday.

Knapp previously served as CEO for Collaboration Capital, which he founded in 2016, with a specific focus on environmental, social and governance-driven investment. Before this, he served as CEO and co-founder of Chilton Capital Management. He was also formerly associated with Brown Brothers Harriman & Co.

In his new role, Knapp will be joined by colleagues Annelise Bovet, Gary Fitzgerald, Ron Lerner and Anne Robertson. This addition takes Robertson Stephens’ assets to about $1.9 billion as of January 2021. Robertson Stephens has 47 employees across nine locations in San Francisco (California), New York (NY), Sun Valley (Idaho), Holmdel (New Jersey), Marin County (Californa), Austin (Texas), Seattle (Washington), Denver (Colorado) and Houston (Texas).  

“Christopher’s expertise in impact and sustainable investing will result in the broadening of our investment offerings to include an enhanced ESG framework and will align our capabilities to address an increasingly important dynamic for our clients. Moreover, this transaction expands Robertson Stephens’ franchise into Houston which, combined with our growth into Austin last year, emphasizes our commitment to Texas and the Southwest, a key growth market for our firm,” Raj Bhattacharyya, chief executive, Robertson Stephens, said.

Last year, this news service examined how the Texas wealth management market shapes up, examining firms in and around the Dallas and Fort Worth area.