Partnership to help accelerate the next phase of multi-year growth strategy

TORRANCE, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--

EP Wealth Advisors (“EP Wealth” or the “Company”), a leading fee-only registered investment advisor (RIA), today announced that Ares Management Private Equity funds (“Ares”) have signed a definitive agreement to acquire a significant minority stake in the Company, joining EP Wealth’s existing minority equity partner, Berkshire Partners. The investment from Ares will provide additional growth capital and strategic support for EP Wealth to advance several key corporate goals, including a deeper investment in talent acquisition, technology, client-facing offerings and services, and a greater ability to pursue M&A partnerships.

“Our firm was founded on the belief that taking care of clients by providing quality service and solutions fosters strong relationships that drive long-term success,” said Ryan Parker, CEO of EP Wealth. “This has guided our firm’s efforts and fueled our growth over the last twenty-six years, and it is the foundation that will propel us for decades to come. We are thrilled to have found a partner in Ares who fully supports our mission and will fortify our efforts to grow while sustaining the governance, passion, and culture on which EP Wealth is built.”

EP Wealth’s co-founders, Derek Holman and Brian Parker, will maintain meaningful ownership in the organization and continue in their current roles as active advisors and leaders.

The Company’s management team will continue to operate independently and lead strategic and day-to-day decisions.

“EP Wealth has established itself as a leader in the RIA industry, with a demonstrated track record driven by its advisors’ unwavering commitment to client service,” said Jordan Smith, Partner in the Ares Private Equity Group. “We believe EP Wealth’s entrepreneurial culture and growth mindset, supported by the combined resources and experience of Ares and Berkshire Partners, will enable the Company to build on its leadership position and compound long-term growth.”

"We’re proud to continue our investment in EP Wealth, which reflects our deep conviction in the management team and long-term growth potential of the business,” said Dave Bordeau, Managing Director at Berkshire Partners. “We’re thrilled to partner with Ares, whose strategic vision for EP Wealth and experience align closely with ours. Together, we are well-positioned to support the next phase of transformative growth."

EP Wealth has completed eight M&A partnerships in 2025 and has grown its assets under management to nearly $40 billion, as of August 31, 2025. The Company is on track to complete additional M&A partnerships before the end of the year.

The investment is expected to be completed in October 2025. Terms of the investment were not disclosed.

William Blair served as lead financial advisor, with Houlihan Lokey acting as co-advisor, to EP Wealth Advisors. Jefferies LLC and Moelis & Company LLC served as financial advisors to Ares.

About EP Wealth Advisors

EP Wealth Advisors, LLC (“EP Wealth”) is a fee-only registered investment advisor and financial planning firm with more than 54 offices across 19 states. Managing nearly $40 billion in assets as of August 31, 2025, EP Wealth has helped families across the country achieve their financial goals for more than 25 years. The firm, which is employee-owned, led and operated, offers a wide range of services, including financial, tax and estate planning, as well as investment management. Headquartered in Torrance, California, EP Wealth is led by CEO Ryan Parker, along with Co-Founders and Managing Directors Derek Holman, CFP®, AIF®, Brian Parker, CFP® and Executive Chair Patrick Goshtigian, CFA. For more information, visit www.epwealth.com and follow EP Wealth on LinkedIn and Facebook.

About Ares Management ( ARES )

Ares Management Corporation ( ARES ) is a leading global alternative investment manager offering clients complementary primary and secondary investment solutions across the credit, real estate, private equity and infrastructure asset classes. We seek to advance our stakeholders’ long-term goals by providing flexible capital that supports businesses and creates value for our investors and within our communities. By collaborating across our investment groups, we aim to generate consistent and attractive investment returns throughout market cycles. As of June 30, 2025, Ares Management Corporation's ( ARES ) global platform had over $572 billion of assets under management, with operations across North America, South America, Europe, Asia Pacific and the Middle East. For more information, please visit www.aresmgmt.com.

About Berkshire Partners

Berkshire Partners is a 100% employee-owned, multi-sector specialist investor in private and public equity. The firm's private equity team invests in well-positioned, growing companies across business & consumer services, healthcare, industrials, and technology & communications. Berkshire is currently investing from its Fund XI, which held its final closing in 2024 with approximately $7.8 billion in commitments. Since inception, Berkshire Partners has made more than 150 private equity investments and has a strong history of collaborating with management teams to grow the companies in which it invests. For additional information, visit www.berkshirepartners.com.

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Source: EP Wealth Advisors, LLC