John Thiel, the former head of Merrill Lynch Wealth Management, has launched a new registered investment advisor (RIA) firm called Indivisible Partners. The firm is based in Clearwater, Florida, and gained approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on Friday. Thiel will serve as the executive chairman of Indivisible Partners.
He will be joined by several Merrill Lynch alumni, including co-presidents Paul Lambert, Bill Lorenz, and Tom Fickinger, who will lead advisor teams. According to Thiel’s LinkedIn post announcing the launch, the creation of Indivisible Partners was inspired by advisors’ repeated calls for a “different model.” Advisors have expressed a desire for additional support and a more significant ownership stake in their businesses. Indivisible Partners will cater to a diverse client base, including high-net-worth individuals, personal trusts, pensions, corporations, and charities.
Thiel introduces the Indivisible Partners team
The firm’s initial Form ADV brochure outlines its focus on providing services to these various client segments. Thiel spent 27 years at Merrill Lynch, including five years as the head of wealth management from 2011 to 2016.
He later served as the vice chairman of global wealth management and investment management at Bank of America. The launch of Indivisible Partners reflects a growing trend in the financial advisory industry, with several former Merrill Lynch executives establishing support platforms for RIA firms in recent years. Examples include Sanctuary Wealth and NewEdge Advisors.
As the industry continues to evolve, Thiel’s new venture aims to address financial advisors’ and clients’ changing needs by offering a platform that prioritizes independence and a client-first approach.
