With Christopher Griffith & Henry Wheelwright, Co-Founders and Managing Partners, Stablepoint Partners
Chris Griffith and Henry Wheelwright, rising stars in the wirehouse world, share their growth story and motivations to leave Morgan Stanley and launch their own independent firm on the Goldman Sachs custody platform.
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.
About this episode…
The best partnerships have a great backstory.
Chris Griffith and Henry Wheelwright were college roommates and best friends bonded by sports and similarities in goals.
Together, they started their wealth management careers at A.G. Edwards. Then the duo moved on to UBS where they quickly became known as “rising stars.” 8 years later, they transitioned to Morgan Stanley, building a business managing $650mm in client assets and garnering accolades from the likes of Forbes.
Chris and Henry were always focused on their clients: Driven to understand their needs and do what was best for them.
Young yet accomplished, the team started to think more boldly—for creative ways to serve their clients as their personal CFOs, helping to make a positive difference in their lives and those of their future generations. It was that thought process that led them to conduct due diligence, with a focus on the independent space, where they could serve as true fiduciaries.
After looking at all the options available to them – from supported independence to each custodian – they landed on building their independent firm from the ground up on the Goldman Sachs custody platform.
Just one year later, as Stablepoint Partners, the duo shares how it’s going with Jason Diamond, including:
The creative freedom they lacked in the wirehouse—and how they resolved that in independence.Goldman Sachs as custodian—and what they offered that other custodians didn’t.The choice to build an RIA from scratch—and why they opted for that path vs. supported independence.Their extraordinary short-term growth—and what they expect for the future.Everyone loves a good “buddy story,” and this one has all the markings of a blockbuster: Two young advisors who have learned a lot in a short period of time and are happy to share actionable advice.
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
Embracing the Modern Advisor: An Inside Look at Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions
Richard Lofgren, the Managing Director of Goldman Sachs Advisor Solutions, provides inside baseball, including how they differentiate from other established custodians, their ideal advisor profile, and much more.
If Not Another Wirehouse, Then What?
Advisors considering change want something more than what they have at their current firm. The good news is that there’s plenty to choose from. But that’s the bad news, too.
Wealth Management Landscape At A Glance: Focus on Independence
In a greatly evolved industry landscape, the independent space has expanded to offer a variety of models with varying levels of freedom and flexibility. Which one might be right for you? Our newly updated “Landscape at a Glance” focuses on independence, providing the key features of each model.
Christopher K. Griffith, CFP®, CPWA®
Managing Partner, Co-Founder Chris co-founded Stablepoint Partners to put his client’s best interests first. His vision was to purposely grow the firm in a way that provides exceptional service to every client, keeping focus on building lasting relationships, o ering trusted advice and delivering personalized guidance.
The son of two educators, Chris earned both the Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and Certified Private Wealth Advisor (CPWA) designations, and once studied with the head of the Federal Reserve of India. Chris earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Finance at Clark University, where he also played varsity basketball. He earned the CPWA designation through the Booth School of Business at the University of Chicago.
Prior to starting Stablepoint Partners, Chris was a Managing Director at Morgan Stanley, the highest title attributed to Financial Advisors, where he and his partner, Henry Wheelwright led one of the top performing teams at the firm. Prior to Morgan Stanley, Chris and The Griffith Wheelwright Group team spent eight years at UBS Financial Services where they were recognized as rising stars in their field. Since their original launch in 2001, Chris and his team’s focus was, and remains to be, to work alongside clients to understand their life goals and develop a personalized wealth strategy to get them there. Chris and Henry have grown their practice one conversation at a time, for over 20 years through three bear markets, the Great Recession, Covid, and a devastating financial crisis.
The combination of his experience and knowledge of the financial world, and an innate passion to help others made a career in wealth management a natural fit for Chris. In 2018, Chris was named as one of the “Top 40 Under 40” in the Financial Advice industry by Investment News, and a “Best in State Wealth Advisor” by Forbes every year since 2019. Chris attributes his accomplishments to the personal and professional bonds he’s established with clients over the years.
Outside of his work with clients, Chris most enjoys spending time with his family. He and his wife, Erin live in Norwell, Massachusetts with their two children, C.J. and Wesley. You’ll often find Chris on the sidelines coaching youth basketball or on the golf course, caddying for his sons. Chris and his family are actively involved in several charitable organizations, making giving back to those in need a priority together.
Henry J. Wheelwright, CFP®
Managing Partner, Co-Founder As a Managing Partner and Co-Founder of Stablepoint Partners, Henry believes in ensuring that every financial decision reflects the short, medium, and long-term goals of every client. His client relationships continue to be built on a foundation of trust, ongoing communication, and timely execution by his seasoned Stablepoint Partners team of professionals.
As a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) with over two decades of experience as a financial advisor, Henry is a centerpiece of counsel for his clients where he begins all relationships as their Fiduciary, focusing on a personalized financial plan that develops, implements, and executes investment strategies to meet their goals and planning needs.
Henry’s interest in finance started at an early age. He was raised in Manhattan, where his mother was a journalist at Money magazine. She brought him to the Stock Exchange and mock investment classes which he credits for initiating his passion for wealth management. His style is personal, proactive, and educational with a goal to help his clients live better lives through investment and financial planning support.
Henry received his Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Finance at Clark University, where he both pitched for their varsity baseball team and met his long-time friend and co-founding Stablepoint partner Chris Griffith. Both Co-Founders credit their collegiate athletic careers, and many years as close friends, as leading to a coaching and advice-driven approach to the clients of Stablepoint Partners. Both Henry and his wealth management team have been recognized by Forbes as Best-In-State Financial Advisors and have been considered top performers at their previous firms.
Henry started his wealth management career in 2001, working at A.G. Edwards, UBS Financial Services, and most recently Morgan Stanley, prior to founding the Independent Registered Investment Advisory Firm (RIA) Stablepoint Partners with Chris. This was an important transition to independence that is focused on the clients of the practice, and the core values of independent and object advice, innovation, and reimagining the client wealth management experience.
Henry lives in the Squantum section of Quincy with his wife Kim and his two children Olivia and William. For Henry, his family and community remain important parts of his life outside of Stablepoint Partners. He is a trustee at the First Congregational Church of Squantum, and enjoys golf, basketball, and staying engaged with the non-profits in his surrounding community.
Also available on your favorite podcast app and other media sites
Browse other episodes in this podcast series…
