Rosemont Roundtable: Exploring the Business of Investment Management Rosemont

In the latest episode of Rosemont Roundtable, Chas Burkhart sat down with Andrew Crowley, president of Markel Ventures at Markel Group, to discuss both firms' unique commitment to making permanent capital investments in the investment and wealth management industries.
Although it started as an insurance company in 1930, Markel Group has grown to include a broader array of business interests, transforming it into a Fortune 500 company. This growth is anchored in shared values and long-term investment philosophies, which form the bedrock of the partnership.
Chas and Andrew discuss a variety of topics, including:
Why Rosemont and Markel were drawn to each other, and how each views opportunity in the asset and wealth management space.The significance of a true permanent partnership model and how it is optimal for sustained success.A brief overview of Rosemont and Markel’s history and their compatible approaches to finding distinctive investment partners.Why true permanence is uncommon in the industry and the challenges in determining the markers for success.Overall, the conversation underscores both firms' foundational commitment to being "built-to-last, not built-to-sell." It's a thought-provoking conversation you won't want to miss.
If you have any questions or want to learn more, please don't hesitate to contact us.
All episodes of the Rosemont podcast—including Rosemont Roundtable and Global Investment Leaders—are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

In the latest episode of Rosemont Roundtable: Exploring the Business of Investment Management, Brad Mook sat down with Jim DeWolfe, managing member and president of Northside Capital Management, for a compelling conversation on Northside’s unique investment philosophy, its approach to ultra-high-net-worth client management and the strategic partnership with Rosemont.
 
With Northside's expertise in managing over $5 billion in assets and its commitment to maintaining long-term independence and stability, Jim shares insights on Northside's foundation, its customized investment strategies and how the firm stands out in the wealth management landscape. The episode also looks at Northside’s investing methodology, including the significance of a personalized approach in portfolio management and being opportunistic based on market conditions.
 
Specifically, Brad and Jim talked about:
 
Jim's journey from Morgan Stanley to founding Northside Capital Management in 2005, aiming to bring institutional capital markets experience to ultra-high-net-worth families.Northside's philosophy of building customized portfolios tailored to each client's needs, incorporating a mix of third-party managers and individual securities.Rosemont's recent minority equity investment in Northside, supporting the firm's long-term independence, stability and succession planning.Jim's vision for Northside's continued improvement, supported by Rosemont's strategic guidance.Timely opportunities in today’s investment landscape, including specific areas within credit markets, the optimal hunting ground for security selection, and non-consensus positioning within private equity. The conversation provides insight into Northside’s differentiated business and the new affiliation with Rosemont. If you have any questions or want to learn more, please don't hesitate to contact us.
 
All episodes of the Rosemont podcast—including Rosemont Roundtable and Global Investment Leaders—are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.

In the latest episode of the Rosemont Roundtable: Exploring the Business of Investment Management (formerly known as Global Investment Leaders), Chas Burkhart sat down with Barclay Douglas, an investment industry veteran with over 15 years at the helm of Criterium Advisors, a firm offering traditional consulting services, but focused on Outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) search. 
During their conversation, Barclay shares his wisdom into various aspects of the investment management industry, and specifically his wide-ranging observations on the OCIO space.

Specifically, they discuss:
Barclay's background and his career trajectory, from his early days as a trainee stockbroker, to investment management marketing and business leadership, to founding Criterium Advisors, which initially focused on total fund management consulting but expanded into traditional institutional consulting and OCIO search services in 2013.Perspectives on the growing demand for OCIO services, competitive dynamics, business models, distinguishing characteristics, scale and offerings.How Criterium and Rosemont evaluate OCIO businesses and performance and the challenges in comparison, highlighting the need for a more nuanced approach beyond traditional benchmarking.The potential future of private equity; the importance of finding an OCIO with an understanding of the space and significant outperformance in U.S. markets.The risks associated with finding the right OCIO, including undervaluing the importance of expertise in alternative investments, over-reliance on quantitative metrics, inadequately assessing fee structures and underestimating the dynamic nature of the asset management industry.Industry developments and trends that are top of mind and views on current sales and marketing strategies.
Overall, the conversation provides insights into the complexities and dynamics of the OCIO industry, emphasizing the importance of client relationships, investment integrity and sustainable business practices.

In the latest episode of the Rosemont Roundtable: Exploring the Business of Investment Management (formerly known as Global Investment Leaders), Brad Mook sat down with Wes Gallup, managing director and chief operating officer of Cary Street Partners, an independent wealth management firm based in Richmond, Virginia, with more than $8 billion in assets under management.* Their conversation centers around the evolution of Cary Street and offers insights into industry trends, growth strategy and technology's role in modern wealth management firms.
 
Specifically, Brad and Wes discuss:
How Cary Street pivoted from a corporate advisory firm to a full-service wealth management firm after an acquisition in 2007.The firm's focus on both organic and inorganic growth, including prioritizing acquisitions that enhance capabilities and improve client service over raw scale.Managing growth by providing advisor independence while maintaining a cohesive brand.The importance of technology adoption for operating efficiencies and staying competitive in the modern wealth management industry.The potential for AI and emerging technologies to enhance productivity, even while recognizing the irreplaceable value of human relationships in the advisor-client dynamic. 
Overall, the conversation underscores the importance of client-centricity, organic growth and thoughtful implementation of technology to achieve long-term success in the evolving industry landscape.
 
All episodes of the Rosemont podcast—including Rosemont Roundtable and Global Investment Leaders—are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.
 
*As of March 25, 2024, Cary Street Partners manages approximately $8 billion in assets. 

In this episode of the Global Investment Leaders podcast, Chas Burkhart, CEO of Rosemont, sat down for a conversation with Jan van Eck, CEO of VanEck, a roughly $90 billion* multi-asset firm headquartered in New York. Founded in 1955 by Jan's father, John van Eck, VanEck has gradually diversified, with the ETF business becoming dominant since its inception in 2006. Their conversation covers Jan's leadership evolution, the importance of culture and building strong teams, the strategic focus on the ETF business and the importance of being able to pivot in the rapidly changing financial services space.
 
Specifically, Chas and Jan discuss:
The evolution of VanEck over its nearly 70-year history, from a pioneering gold business to a diversified provider of niche investment offerings.Jan's role as CEO and the growth of VanEck as a leader in the industry, including the importance of focusing on personal and organizational strengths.The culture at VanEck, highlighting the importance of hiring industry experts and the resilience fostered by the tolerance for cyclicality in resource-based businesses, leading to a remarkably low turnover rate.VanEck's approach to growing and pivoting the ETF business, including their two phases of product design and the current shift towards a more distribution-oriented industry.The role of performance in driving investor sentiment and flows, and how market direction, whether income or equity-oriented, plays a crucial role in decision-making.Identifying industry disruptors and VanEck's positioning in the cryptocurrency and blockchain space.The broader industry trend of consolidation through mergers and acquisitions, and the benefits of being a private, employee-owned company with a long-term perspective. 
Overall, this episode highlights a business-minded leader who understands the importance of firm culture, building a strong team and taking strategic risks.
 
All episodes of the Global Investment Leaders podcast are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more. Receive the episodes as soon as they premiere by subscribing today.
 
*As of February 7, 2024, VanEck manages approximately $90 billion in assets. 
 

In this episode of the Global Investment Leaders podcast, Rosemont’s Brad Mook sits down with Todd Briddell, chief executive officer and chief investment officer of CenterSquare Investment Management. CenterSquare is an employee-owned global real estate investment firm founded in 1987, managing over $14 billion in equity capital. The firm operates domestically and globally and offers a range of solutions for institutional investors.
 
During the conversation, Briddell sheds light on CenterSquare's evolution and how they navigated functional and ownership succession through a sale of the firm, a management buyout and rebranding.
 
Specifically, Briddell and Mook discuss:
CenterSquare's commitment to thematic investing, bringing a macro view to the table, and the importance of a client-first mentality to meet client needs effectively.CenterSquare's ownership journey, starting as a founder-owned entity, being acquired by BNY Mellon in 2006, and executing a management buyout in 2018.Details on the ownership structure post-management buyout, emphasizing inclusivity and the participation of a larger group of individuals.CenterSquare's strategic position between large corporate-owned firms and smaller, founder-led entities.The significance of cross-fertilization within the organization and how teams are brought together to prevent silos.Overall, the conversation offers valuable insights into CenterSquare's unique trajectory and broader lessons for small and mid-size firms seeking sustainable growth and strategic positioning in today's evolving landscape.
All Global Investment Leaders podcast episodes are available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts and more. Access episodes as soon as they release by subscribing today.