GCG Advisory Partners, the parent company of GCG Wealth Management, has marked a significant milestone in its 31-year history by completing a recapitalization and securing a strategic investment from BharCap Partners, a private investment firm based in Greenwich, Connecticut that specializes in the financial services sector. This transaction represents a significant step forward for GCG, providing both the resources and the strategic partnership needed to fuel its next stage of expansion.
As part of the deal, GCG’s management team has retained a substantial ownership stake in the company, ensuring that the same leadership that has guided the firm’s success to date will continue to shape its future. This continuity is expected to help maintain the company’s culture, client relationships, and long-term vision while benefiting from the additional capital and expertise that BharCap brings to the table.
GCG currently manages more than $3 billion in assets and has built a platform that stands out in the wealth management industry. The firm offers established financial advisors solutions for liquidity and succession planning, helping them transition their businesses smoothly while maximizing value. It also provides entrepreneurial advisors with advanced technology, flexible tools, and operational support designed to help them grow their practices more quickly and efficiently.
The investment from BharCap will be used to advance GCG’s acquisition strategy, allowing the firm to bring more advisors and teams into its network. It will also enhance the company’s Monetize & Scale platform, which is designed to help advisors increase revenue, streamline operations, and expand their client base. By combining GCG’s proven business model with BharCap’s financial backing and industry expertise, the partnership aims to create new opportunities for growth, innovation, and long-term success.
Advisors/counsel: Houlihan Lokey served as exclusive financial advisor, and Holland & Knight served as legal counsel to GCG. Simpson Thacher & Bartlett served as legal counsel to BharCap. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.
KEY QUOTES:
“We are thrilled to partner with BharCap as we enter this next stage of growth. From the very beginning, it was clear that BharCap was the right fit because they share our entrepreneurial mindset and deep understanding of what it takes to build and scale businesses. With BharCap, GCG can continue to build out a platform that not only includes our strategic relationship with Osaic, but also gives GCG the ability to develop an RIA platform for a dynamic world being reshaped by technology—without the legacy constraints. Our goal is not to be all things to all people, but to be the right place for the right partners.”
“After a successful three-year partnership, I want to thank LNC Partners for taking a chance on us, and I am very pleased that GCG has successfully delivered a return to their investors. With this process, GCG has been able to achieve true proof of concept for our partnered advisors—demonstrating our ability to help them scale their businesses while also achieving larger monetary rewards as equity holders of GCG.”
Joel Burris, President and Managing Partner of GCG
“This transaction fits one of BharCap’s high-conviction themes. With its leading platform, diversified base of established advisors, and loyal client base, Joel and the team at GCG have built an excellent business. Together, we have multiple proven levers for future growth, given GCG’s recurring, fee-based model; the increasing adoption of financial planning services among our target clients; the continued migration of advisors to RIAs with a strong equity culture; and the substantial capital needed to finance succession planning. We are excited to partner with GCG and build upon the firm’s success.”
Bharath Srikrishnan, Co-Founder and Managing Partner of BharCap
“We have spent several years looking for a firm like GCG. GCG is a high-quality platform with a proven M&A track record. BharCap’s entrepreneurial-driven culture, growth mindset, and strategic M&A playbook will reinforce GCG’s opportunity to be a leading consolidator in the highly fragmented wealth management industry. Our sector expertise will help GCG capitalize on the significant opportunities ahead as the industry continues to evolve.”
Ethan Wang, BharCap Co-Founder and Partner
