National advice firm welcomes new chief
Private wealth management company Stellan Capital has appointed a new chief executive.
Stellan Capital was established in 2019 by founding partners Tom Hicks, David Leon and Ivan Rados.
With offices located in Adelaide and Melbourne, the firm provides strategic financial planning, portfolio management and family office services.
It announced on 15 January 2025 that it has welcomed Jim DeCarlo as its new CEO, who brings more than three decades of experience working in financial services across the globe.
DeCarlo returned to Australia after working in the US since 2012. He served as the chief executive of StratWealth, a US-based wealth management company with over US$1.8 billion in client assets, for nearly five years in which he led organic and inorganic growth.
After StratWealth was acquired by US-based advisory firm Wealthspire Advisors, DeCarlo took up the position of chief growth officer at Wealthspire in 2021.
“Today, stepping into his new role as CEO in January 2025, Jim brings a vast set of international and personal perspectives to the leadership arena. Possessing an infectious flair for leading others, driving organic and inorganic growth, a talent for change management, and repeatably helping firms transform for the better, Jim’s passion lives at the intersection of these experiences – bringing together vision, leadership, the team, and shareholder value,” Stellan Capital stated.
“We’re excited for this next chapter at Stellan Capital and the expansive experience and guidance Jim will bring in his new role as CEO.”
Prior to his career in the US, DeCarlo spent nearly 10 years at AXA in Australia across various roles, such as head of platform sales and national account manager.
Other recent CEO appointments in the financial advice profession include national advisory group Fitzpatricks Financial Group hiring Andrew Fairweather as its group chief executive last September, replacing Jodie Blackledge who stepped down after four years.
In the same month, Sydney-based wealth management firm Sherlock Wealth promoted its head of advice, Andrew Sherlock, to the role of chief executive. Taking over from his wife Jacqui Sherlock who held the role for eight years, Sherlock joined the firm in 2000 and was appointed to head of advice in January 2018.
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Jasmine Siljic
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