The Mather Group, a Chicago-based registered investment advisor with approximately $17 billion in assets under management, has entered into a partnership with Sebold Capital Management, a suburban Chicago firm specializing in advising small business owners, executives, and their families. The deal, announced in late 2023, aims to deepen the firm's capabilities in serving the business owner segment, a key growth area for the RIA.
Sebold Capital, founded in 1998 by Sean Sebold, has built a niche in holistic planning that coordinates business finance with personal wealth, particularly during liquidity events and transitions. The firm's approach emphasizes aligning enterprise value with personal financial outcomes, a strategy that complements The Mather Group's planning-first philosophy. By integrating Sebold Capital into its platform, The Mather Group expects to enhance its ability to deliver coordinated advice that addresses the intersection of personal wealth, tax considerations, and business strategy.
Jennifer des Groseilliers, CEO of The Mather Group, highlighted the complexity facing clients, especially entrepreneurs. "Our clients are not facing one decision at a time. They are making interconnected decisions that shape their financial future," she said. "This partnership strengthens our ability to bring those elements together with greater depth and coordination, while continuing to deliver the integrated experience our clients expect from The Mather Group."
The Mather Group operates 13 offices nationwide and has been actively expanding its footprint. Earlier this year, the firm announced a partnership with The Hogan-Knotts Financial Group, adding a planning-led team in Red Bank, New Jersey, with more than $300 million in assets under management. That move extended the RIA's reach on the East Coast, complementing its Midwest base.
Sean Sebold emphasized the distinct mindset of business owners. "Business owners have a different mindset. They are continually looking to add value to their clients, their community and their families. Our role is to coordinate business finance to personal finance, with all its complexity, to ensure business owners are executing on their own value mandate," he said.
The partnership with Sebold Capital is part of a broader trend among RIAs to deepen specialized expertise in niche client segments. As advisors increasingly seek to differentiate their services, firms like The Mather Group are integrating planning-led teams that can address the unique needs of business owners, who often face complex decisions around succession planning, tax optimization, and wealth transfer.
For advisors, the deal underscores the value of a planning-first approach in serving high-net-worth clients. By combining resources and expertise, The Mather Group aims to provide a more seamless experience for clients navigating multiple financial decisions simultaneously. The integration of Sebold Capital is expected to be completed in the coming months, with existing client relationships maintained.
