Ritholtz Wealth Management Executes Employee-led Succession Plan to Create Industry’s Most Visible, Dominant “Forever Firm”

Industry and media titan Barry Ritholtz expands equity ownership to more firm employees

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ritholtz, a national RIA overseeing more than $7.6 billion in assets for high-net-worth clients and institutions, today announces the rollout of an employee-led succession plan designed to preserve the firm’s independence, support continuity and increase ownership among the people that are building it. This transition—which has expanded the ranks of shareholders to include co-founders, financial advisors and key personnel—has been in the works for the past decade.

As part of this transition, 29 employees of Ritholtz now have ownership in the firm, dramatically expanding internal equity participation and formalizing the next generation of leadership. Executed entirely without any outside capital, the transaction cements Ritholtz’s status as one of the largest truly independent, 100% employee-owned RIAs.

Founded in New York City in 2013, Ritholtz was built on the simple idea that investors deserve straight talk and advice free from hidden incentives or conflicts of interest. What began as a small firm with big ideas about transparency, accountability and client service has since evolved into a fully integrated national firm with 15 offices across the country. Through its differentiated approach to advice and investing, as well as its research and media properties, Ritholtz has become a trusted source of insight for clients, fans and the broader financial community alike.

Barry Ritholtz, the firm’s co-founder, chairman and chief investment officer, has set in motion the firm’s succession plan alongside his co-founders. Under this transition, Ritholtz will remain involved in supporting the firm and the investment management committee as Chief Investment Officer. Day-to-day leadership of the firm will continue under co-founders Josh Brown, CEO; Michael Batnick and Kris Venne, managing partners; and president Jay Tini. Ritholtz will continue to operate under its namesake brand in perpetuity, maintaining its commitment to client service, continuity and culture.

As the co-founder of the eponymous firm, Barry Ritholtz will continue to play a key role in shaping both its investment philosophy and its public voice. He is the author of The Big Picture, one of the most widely read financial blogs in the world. He has also authored two books, “Bailout Nation: How Greed and Easy Money Corrupted Wall Street and Shook the World Economy,” (Wiley, 2009) and “How Not To Invest” (Harriman House, 2025). Additionally, Ritholtz is creator and ongoing host of Masters in Business, one of Bloomberg Radio’s most popular podcasts, as well as his new short-form podcast, At The Money.

“I have the absolute best job on Wall Street. This succession plan secures our shared legacy on our own terms. I’m extremely proud of the firm we’ve built and the people who’ve played a role in building it,” said Ritholtz. “Expanding ownership to more of our people keeps this firm one hundred percent independent, aligned and focused on the only thing that matters — doing right by our clients. That’s the model that got us here, and it’s the model that will carry us forward. It was very important to me that the firm would continue on into the future without changing what's special about the place as we continue to grow. The expectation is that every day I come to the office, it feels as magical as the year we founded Ritholtz Wealth Management.”

Over the years, Ritholtz has expanded its firm and assembled a deep bench of authors, speakers and experts who share a commitment to delivering thoughtful, no-nonsense financial education. This team is driven by a belief that everyone deserves access to high-quality advice and portfolios that serve the objectives of their financial plan.

“When we launched the firm, Barry and I were involved in day-to-day management by default. And as we’ve grown, we were deliberate in developing our own talent and thoughtfully recruited an amazing team,” said Josh Brown, CEO at Ritholtz. “This now allows Barry to focus on his highest value work, and that’s investor education, engaging with the public at live events across the country, and more. From the very beginning, our goal was to answer to clients – never outside owners. This transition keeps ownership and leadership exactly where they belong: with the people who live the culture every day. This is the Ritholtz Way.”

“I turn 65 this year, and I wanted all of our clients, employees and partners to understand that we have a plan to continue forever, without private equity dollars, regardless of my age. This structure is a key part of that plan,” added Ritholtz. “The work we have done – and will continue to do – will always focus on education, planning, asset allocation, taxes, costs and discipline. We never set out to become the largest firm. Just the best.”

About Ritholtz Wealth Management

Ritholtz Wealth Management is a Registered Investment Adviser based in New York City, with offices across the country, that offers a full suite of financial planning and asset management services to high-net-worth households, corporate retirement plans, endowments and charitable foundations. The firm's core principle is bringing value-added investment and financial planning help to its clients as a fee-only fiduciary advisor. For more information, please visit ritholtzwealth.com, follow us on X @ritholtzwealth and on YouTube at The Compound.

Advisory services are only offered to clients or prospective clients where Ritholtz Wealth Management and its representatives are properly licensed or exempt from licensure. No advice may be rendered by Ritholtz Wealth Management unless a client service agreement is in place.