Private Equity, Scale, and Strategy: Inside Kestra with Its CEO, President, and Private Equity Partner

With James Poer, CEO Kestra Holdings, John Amore, President Kestra Financial and Fayez Muhtadie, Co-Head of Private Equity at Stone Point Capital Overview Louis Diamond sits down with James Poer (Kestra Holdings), John Amore (Kestra Financial), and Fayez Muhtadie (Stone Point Capital), who share unique vantage points of how scale, private equity, and alignment shape enterprise value in today’s wealth management landscape. Listen in… > Download a transcript of this episode… NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation. Watch… https://youtu.be/jqE5vfTRewc About this episode… As advisory practices grow larger and more sophisticated, the definition of success is shifting. For many advisors, it’s no longer just about income or payout. It’s about ownership, alignment, and building something that carries real enterprise value. That shift raises important questions, such as: What does scale actually enable?How should advisors think about capital?And what does alignment really look like between firm leadership, capital providers, and the advisors they serve? To explore that, we invited three guests who see this from unique vantage points. James Poer, who leads Kestra Holdings, John Amore, who oversees the strategy and execution behind Kestra Financial’s growth, and Fayez Muhtadie, who represents Stone Point Capital, Kestra’s private equity partner. Kestra today operates one of the larger independent wealth management ecosystems in the country, supporting roughly 1,450 advisors and overseeing more than $160B in assets across its broker dealer and RIA platforms. Stone Point, for its part, is a financial services-focused private equity firm with decades of experience investing in banks, asset managers, insurers, and wealth platforms. Together, they represent a scaled, privately backed model that has become increasingly common in our industry. In this episode with Louis Diamond, they unpack what they describe as “multiple ways to win” actually means inside a platform of this size, including: The Kestra ecosystem—and how the firm has evolved from its founding to spin-off from NPF.The value of private equity ownership—and how common misconceptions impact the positive potential.The importance of cultural alignment—and how it can be preserved as firms grow.Growth and scale—and why James believes this business is not an income game, but a wealth game.Plus, the questions advisors should be asking when assessing their current firm or platform. If you’re evaluating scale, ownership, or long-term enterprise value in your business, this is a conversation worth hearing. Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002. Related Resources Is Scale a Necessary Evil in Wealth Management?Scale can provide a competitive advantage. Yet there might be scenarios in which bigger isn’t always better. Wealth Management Landscape at a GlanceThe wealth management industry offers more options than ever, making it challenging to identify and compare the various models. We created this “at a glance” continuum infographic—to help you navigate the different models and understand how their features stack up. How to Set Up Your Business to Maximize Enterprise ValueJason and Louis Diamond explore strategies for maximizing enterprise value, whether or not an advisor plans to move. Learn actionable insights, key business practices, short-term vs. long-term tactics, and real-world examples. James PoerChief Executive Officer of Kestra Holdings James Poer is Chief Executive Officer of Kestra Holdings, an ecosystem of companies empowering high-performing financial advisors to achieve lasting independence. Together, Kestra’s businesses deliver a full end-to-end suite of wealth management solutions for success driven and entrepreneurial-focused financial professionals, including investment solutions, technology services, succession and monetization, insurance and planning services, trust services, and back-office support. James most recently chaired the Financial Services Institute (FSI) Board of Directors after serving for several years on the board. He currently sits on the Board of Advisors for the Langston Wealth Management Center at The University of Texas at Austin’s McComb’s School of Business, serves as Chair of Arden Trust Company’s Board of Directors, and is a member of the Board of Kestra Holdings. A true native Texan and alum of Texas Christian University, James currently resides in Austin, Texas. John AmorePresident of Kestra Financial As the President of industry-leading wealth management company Kestra Financial, John is committed to building out capabilities that empower the success of Kestra’s ...