Bell was previously chief investment officer at BlueArc Capital Management, an alternative asset manager focused on family offices, where he remains a director.

Prior to that, he was executive vice chairman of The Brand Banking Company, where he led a $200 million recapitalization of the bank.

"Mark brings dynamic experience in family and institutional investing and we are thrilled he has joined our growing team in Atlanta. He is a talented professional and our clients will benefit from his extensive background in private equity and hedge funds," said Hal Daughdrill, founder and managing director at Diversified Trust.

The hire follows that of Kim Garcia, who joined earlier this month from US Trust as a principal.

In addition to Atlanta, Diversified has offices in Greensboro, NC; Tennessee; and Nashville, TN.

The firm, founded in 1994, had over $5 billion of assets under management at the end of 2015. Clients include individuals, multi-generational families, family offices and foundations.