The latest moves and appointments in wealth management in the Americas.

Nepsis 
Nepsis a US financial advisor and investment management firm, has promoted Matt Pearson to president.

Pearson (pictured), who initially joined Nepsis as a research analyst more than a decade ago, has steadily advanced through the company ranks, most recently serving as vice president of business development.

“Over the past 12 years, Matt has made a profound and enduring impact on the firm's vision and objectives,” said Mark Pearson, founder and CEO. “His exceptional leadership qualities and unwavering dedication to our clients make him an indispensable asset to our team.”

Since joining the firm, Pearson has worked with advisors, offering strategic guidance and support while implementing company-wide technology. He led development of the Nepsis App, which provides the firm’s clients with up-to-date financial news and insights from their team of investment experts.

As president, Pearson will continue overseeing app development and maintenance in alignment with the Clarity Roadmap®, the firm’s proprietary financial planning process. He will provide a link between the firm’s tax and wealth management divisions.

Coinciding with Matt's promotion, Nepsis also welcomed Craig Golden, a senior investment analyst and market strategist, to its ranks. 

Nepsis is an SEC Registered Investment Advisor based in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

ACE, UBS
Advisor Credit Exchange has appointed former senior UBS figures JP Connellan as chief executive and Melanie Warner as chief operating officer and head of business development. Former CEO and co-founder Peter Stanton, who has decided to step down from his role, will remain as a strategic advisor.

ACE provides access to securities-backed lines of credit, residential real estate and signature (unsecured) loans, commercial lending and lending on alternative asset classes. Its technology also powers the Envestnet Credit Exchange.

At UBS, Connellan and Warner set up the Swiss bank's Independent Advisors Solutions Team. Together they helped launch a strategic initiative between UBS and ACE, whereby the advisors on ACE's platform can access UBS's cash management solutions to help manage their clients' assets and liabilities. 

This initiative will continue under this new management structure, ACE said in a statement.

Other leadership appointments include Brett Barnes as head of business development for the Western Division and Justin Taylor as head of business development for the Eastern Division. Additionally, Jack McDonough is joining the ACE team as a business analyst supporting business development efforts. Messrs Barnes, Taylor, and McDonough also come to ACE from UBS's Independent Advisors Solutions Team.

“ACE remains committed to becoming the premier banking and lending technology platform in the wealth management industry to help advisors grow their practices and meet their clients' needs,” it added. 

Raymond James
Raymond James yesterday unveiled executive management changes in its private client group division.

Effective January 1, Raymond James Financial Services Independent Contractor Division president Jodi Perry has elected to leave her post for the newly-created role of national head of advisor recruiting.

Current senior vice president and Northeast division director Shannon Reid will succeed Jodi as ICD president. Before this role, Reid served in senior leadership roles at Raymond James including head of retirement solutions, vice president of cash management and vice president of PCG Planning. She joined the firm from Goldman Sachs.

Raymond James
Raymond James has welcomed financial advisor Brian Chappell to the firm’s independent advisor channel, in Jacksonville, Florida.

Chappell is president of Speedwell Capital Group and is joined by branch professional Ian Atkinson in the transition from UBS Financial Services, where he managed nearly $140 million in client assets. 

In addition to his 20 years of experience at his previous firm, Chappell is committed to professional development and has earned both the Accredited Investment Fiduciary® and Chartered Retirement Plans SpecialistTM designations.