Creative Planning, known as one of the nation’s largest registered investment advisors (RIAs), has made a significant move by finalizing a definitive agreement to acquire SageView Advisory Group, a prominent independent RIA firm. This strategic partnership will enable Creative Planning to strengthen its position in the financial advisory landscape by incorporating SageView’s expertise and clientele.
Since 2021, Aquiline, a private investment firm specializing in financial services and technology, has held a majority stake in SageView. With the completion of this acquisition, Aquiline will exit its investment in the firm, marking a new chapter for SageView under Creative Planning’s management.
The merger of these two firms will create a robust entity consisting of over 550 advisors and will manage an impressive array of financial resources. The newly formed organization will oversee 11,800 retirement plans and cater to more than 80,000 private wealth clients.
This expansive reach covers all 50 states in the U.S. and extends to over 90 countries worldwide, culminating in a total of $640 billion in client assets as of September 30, 2025. Before this acquisition, SageView had already established itself as a significant player, managing $250 billion in assets under management and advisement across 36 locations as of June 30, 2025.
Founded by Randy Long in 1989, SageView began its journey as a retirement plan advisory firm, focusing on consulting services and investment solutions for both institutional and individual clients. Over the years, the firm recognized the rising demand for financial planning among its retirement plan clients and subsequently expanded its services to include wealth management. This evolution reflects SageView’s commitment to meeting the comprehensive financial needs of its clients.
In recent years, SageView has actively pursued growth through acquisitions. A highlight of these efforts was its August purchase of CAP STRAT, or Capital Strategies Investment Group, which is based in Illinois. CAP STRAT is notable for its specialization in institutional retirement plan consulting and wealth management, boasting approximately $25 billion in assets under advisement and management. This strategic acquisition further solidified SageView’s presence in the field.
To further enhance its leadership, SageView appointed Longley as CEO in 2023, allowing Randy Long to transition into the role of Chairman. This leadership change signals a focus on strategic growth and innovation as the firm integrates with Creative Planning.
Creative Planning has also been actively expanding its retirement services division. In 2023, the firm acquired Mesirow’s corporate retirement advisory services team, which managed over 350 retirement plans and approximately $13 billion in assets.
This acquisition followed Creative Planning’s previous purchase of Lockton Retirement Services in 2021. As of June 30, 2025, the firm successfully managed $202 billion in institutional retirement plan assets, emphasizing its commitment to providing comprehensive retirement solutions.
This acquisition of SageView Advisory Group marks a pivotal moment for both companies, positioning them for future growth and enhanced service delivery in the evolving financial advisory sector.
Advisors/counsel: Moelis & Company acted as exclusive financial advisor and Willkie Farr & Gallagher LLP served as legal counsel to SageView.
KEY QUOTES:
“SageView has an outstanding reputation as a leader in the retirement plan consulting industry, which will complement our growing retirement services business as well as expand our wealth management practice. This deal provides incredible scale and brings together exceptional talent from both firms to serve our clients and advance our retirement and wealth management capabilities.”
Peter Mallouk, President and CEO of Creative Planning
“SageView has experienced meaningful growth in recent years working with Aquiline, and it became imperative to find a partner to help us continue on that path. As Creative Planning continues to build their institutional retirement plan business, we are excited to be part of that process, leveraging our generations of expertise in this space and success in building one of the largest retirement-focused firms in the country. Together, we will become the premier wealth management and retirement plan consulting firm.”
SageView CEO John Longley
“We invested in SageView as a leading platform in the retirement advisory market, and are proud to have partnered with management to expand the firm’s leadership, pursue strategic acquisitions, and build out its wealth management capabilities. We believe Creative Planning is well positioned to support SageView’s continued growth, and we wish the team success in this next chapter.”
Rich Rosenbaum, Partner at Aquiline
