Data-Informed · Wealth Management Specialized · Relationship-Driven

Executive Search | M&A | Advisor Recruiting

Platform Scale Partners provides M&A Advisory, Executive Search, and Advisor Recruiting services exclusively for RIAs, Family Offices, and Wealth Management Platforms.

One specialist partner for the RIA industry — helping growth-minded firms build the leadership teams required to scale, while advising founders through sale, succession, and strategic transition decisions that shape their future.

Different firms. Different stages. One market we know deeply.

What We Do

Mergers and Acquisitions

Navigate Growth, Sale,
& Succession Decisions

We help RIA owners, advisors, and wealth platform leaders evaluate acquisitions, succession plans, sale options, and strategic transitions with clarity, discretion, and market perspective.

  • RIA Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Advisor Lift-Out Transitions
  • Succession Planning & Exit Strategy
  • Buyer, Seller & Strategic Partner Alignment
Explore M&A Advisory

Executive Search

Build the Leadership Team Needed to Scale

We identify, evaluate, and recruit the executives, advisors, operators, and specialized professionals that RIAs, family offices, and wealth platforms need to strengthen leadership and execute their next stage of scale.

  • Executive & C-Suite Search
  • Advisor Recruiting & Lift-Outs
  • Operating, Growth & Investment Talent
  • Market Mapping & Candidate Evaluation
Explore Executive Search

Platform Scale Partners

By the Numbers

50,000+
Advisors & Leaders
Covered
15,000+
Wealth Firms
Mapped
$5B+
Client Assets
Moved
15+
Completed
Acquisitions

Who We Serve

Three Sides of Wealth Management Growth.
One Specialized Partner.

For Owners & Sellers

RIA Owners Considering Sale, Succession, or Strategic Growth Options

  • RIA Founders & Business Owners
  • Advisors with Owned Books of Business
  • Teams Evaluating a Lift-Out or Platform Move
Explore M&A Options

For Firms & Acquirers

Wealth Firms Hiring Leaders, Recruiting Advisors, or Acquiring Practices

  • RIAs, Family Offices, & Private Wealth Firms
  • Acquirers Needing Executive Leadership Talent
  • Platforms, Aggregators & Integrators
Start a Search or Acquisition

Executives & Advisors

For Wealth Management Leaders and Advisors Considering Making a Move

  • Executives at Wealth Firms
  • Financial Advisors at RIAs & Wealth Platforms
  • Operations, Investment & Growth Leaders
Explore Confidentially

Why Platform Scale Partners

When RIA firms need to hire leadership, recruit advisors, or evaluate strategic options, most partners see only part of the market. We connect the talent, M&A, and succession perspectives that shape long-term growth.

Generalist Recruiters Big Search Firms M&A-Only Advisors Platform Scale Partners
RIA & wealth economics Not their specialty ~One vertical of many ~Deal-focused only It’s our only market
Principal attention ~Varies One of many searches ~Varies Principal-led, every engagement
Full-market vantage Talent only Talent only Deal only Talent, M&A & succession
Strategic context Role-by-role lens ~Search mandate lens ~Transaction lens Platform growth lens
RIA & Wealth Economics
It’s our only market
Compared to
  • Generalist RecruitersNot their specialty
  • ~
    Big Search FirmsOne vertical of many
  • ~
    M&A-Only AdvisorsDeal-focused only
Principal Attention
Principal-led, every engagement
Compared to
  • ~
    Generalist RecruitersVaries
  • Big Search FirmsOne of many searches
  • ~
    M&A-Only AdvisorsVaries
Full-Market Vantage
Talent, M&A & succession
Compared to
  • Generalist RecruitersTalent only
  • Big Search FirmsTalent only
  • M&A-Only AdvisorsDeal only
Strategic Context
Platform growth lens
Compared to
  • Generalist RecruitersRole-by-role lens
  • ~
    Big Search FirmsSearch mandate lens
  • ~
    M&A-Only AdvisorsTransaction lens

Frequently Asked Questions

Common Questions

We focus exclusively on RIAs, family offices, and wealth platforms — not as one vertical among many, but as our only market. That means deeper relationships, better market intelligence, and a sharper understanding of fit, timing, culture, economics, growth strategy, and long-term alignment — not simply filling an open seat or closing a transaction.
Platform Scale Partners primarily works on a success-based, contingent fee model. For recruiting and executive search, fees are typically 20–30% of first-year on-target earnings and are paid by the hiring firm. Candidates are never charged for initial conversations. M&A advisory fees are also success-based and structured based on transaction value which is discussed in detail at engagement.
We place C-suite and senior leaders across growth, operations, investments, compliance, and technology, as well as financial advisors, advisor teams, and other client-facing professionals. We also support advisor lift-outs, full team transitions, and talent strategies tied to firm growth.
Yes — and with complete discretion. Initial conversations are no-obligation and strictly confidential. We'll share market perspective, discuss platform options, and only move forward if there's genuine mutual alignment. We evaluate fit across business model, client base, investment philosophy, culture, and platform — not simply compensation.
We start with a 30-minute introductory call — no commitment required. We listen to your objectives, share relevant market intelligence, and assess whether and how we can add meaningful value. If there's a strong fit, we'll outline a clear engagement framework and move forward transparently from there.

Start the Conversation

Ready to Find the Right Fit?

Whether you're building a team, evaluating a transition, or exploring your firm's options — we're here to help. All conversations are confidential and no-obligation.