The firm pulled Hightower back from the market after failing to find a buyer willing to meet its multiple, and is now considering layoffs, sources say.

According to a managing director at a PE firm, larger firms will change their approach when they can no longer grow at the same pace.

Private equity money continues to fund inorganic growth for its chosen firms, and with more buyers comes more competition, according to panelists at RIA Edge.

Martine Lellis, who joined Mercer as chief talent officer in 2020, will serve as principal of M&A partner development, supporting Dave Barton, who continues to lead M&A across the firm.

During a conversation at Wealth Management EDGE, the former CEO of United Capital called private equity “economic creatures” that may add leverage and unnecessary changes.

Updates from throughout RIA Edge concerning organic growth, M&A, consolidation and private equity in the industry.

Numerous speakers at Wealth Management EDGE said buyers would want to see that its AUM wasn’t primarily tied to a small number of clients and that its growth wasn’t spurred mainly by the market.

Stich, who left digital custodian Entrustody in January, joins MarketCounsel this week as executive managing director and will take over a lot of the operational responsibilities from President and CEO Brian Hamburger.