Escala advisers land at LGT Crestone

LGT Crestone Wealth Management has confirmed that five more investment advisers have moved across from Escala Partners adding to the exodus of top talent from the wealth manager partially owned by New York-listed Focus Financial Partners.

Escala this week has seen founding partners Mason Allamby and Stephen Collins land at the wealth manager owned by the Liechtenstein royal family.

Also arriving at LGT Crestone are investment advisers Steve De Bolfo, Chris Quigley, and Amelia Kelaher, according to the wealth manager.

Collins is one of Escala's founders, having helped establish the firm in 2013 with a group of former UBS advisers.

He worked at UBS for 11 years before putting in about the same time at Escala.

Allamby also helped establish the boutique practice, having worked as an adviser for 15 years, including Mercer's financial planning division.

The exodus of top talent from Escala continues.

In October, LGT Crestone welcomed Jonathan Vickers-Willis and Paul Sealey from the wealth firm partially owned by New York-listed Focus Financial Partners.

Vickers-Willis and Sealy followed Will Allen, Gabrielle Coles and Matt Gavshon, who exited in September to join LGT Crestone.

At the time of the initial migration to LGT Crestone, chief executive Michael Chisholm said a key part of the firm's growth strategy has always included expanding its team of high-quality advisers, and he had been able to further accelerate this growth since becoming part of LGT Group in 2021.

"We're continuing to see a war for advisory talent amid an increasing demand in the private wealth sector, which requires a competitive approach to hiring and retention. The LGT Crestone growth strategy continues to succeed by adding high-calibre talent."