Gresham is a fully independent firm that provides sophisticated investment, wealth planning and other wealth management services to about 110 ultra-high net worth families located nationally.
The firm’s services and target market have remained essentially the same since it was established in 1997, although the breadth and depth of the services have increased dramatically. Gresham advises on approximately $7 billion for it clients, none of whom provides more than 4% of the firm’s revenue. These clients are served by a staff of slightly more than 55, 10 of whom are Client Advisors, resulting in a low client-to-staff ratio of approximately 2-to-1 and a low client-to-advisor ratio of about 11-to-1.
Gresham has always been wholly owned by its senior professionals and to enable it to remain independent it implemented an internal equity ownership program over ten years ago that has transitioned ownership to second- and third-generation owners. The firm is now owned by 14 Principals, no two of whom own more than 50% of the firm.
Client fees have always been Gresham’s sole source of compensation, all client assets have always been managed by unaffiliated managers, it has always avoided typical conflicts of interest that can afflict investment and wealth management firms, and it has always served its clients as a fiduciary.
In addition to the critical qualities mentioned above, Gresham has always focused more on delivering exceptional investment performance and top-quality client service than on growth. This focus is implemented with an unconventional investment approach that uses select, difficult-to-access managers located globally in a full range of asset classes. That investment approach is integrated with the client-specific wealth planning and management services delivered by Client Advisors who have an average of more than 20 years of experience. The success of that combination is evidenced by a client retention rate that exceeds 95%.
*All data, including AUM, as of 03.31.2021
