Welcome to the Arena from ICR – Conversations with Today's Innovators & Business Leaders Rob Skinner, Founding Partner & Co-CEO, IEQ Capital – Trust Funded: Building team culture to cultivate client connection and loyalty
In the world of wealth management, working with clients is a deeply personal endeavor that requires more than just financial expertise. By looking inward first, and prioritizing a strong team culture and personal and professional development, companies can cultivate a strong trust and connection with clients. Today's guest has made this approach the foundation to his business.
Today we're sitting down with Rob Skinner, who is a founding partner and the co-CEO of IEQ Capital. He has served as a financial advisor to wealthy families and institutional investors for over two decades. Rob began his career at Fidelity Investments in 1995 before joining Merrill Lynch as first vice president of investments.
In 2008, he co-founded Luminous Capital, an independent registered investment advisory firm where he served as Chief Investment Officer, Co-Head of Investment Research, and Co-manager of Portfolio Construction. Luminous Capital was acquired by First Republic Bank in 2012.
Active in the community, Rob serves on the Board of Directors for the First Tee of Monterey County, the Board of Directors of the Pebble Beach Company Foundation. He's a Trustee of PGA REACH, the charitable foundation associated with PGA of America, as well as the Naval Postgraduate School Foundation. Rob and his wife actively support numerous foundations and charities in and around the Monterey peninsula.
Rob holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Connecticut, which, if you haven't heard has won national championship titles, back to back in men's basketball. Go Huskies!
Highlights:
- Rob's early influences and beginnings in wealth management (4:15)
- Founding Luminous Capital (5:52)
- Background on IEQ Capital, and company mission (6:37)
- What differentiates IEQ from competitors (7:13)
- IEQ's ideal client profile (8:34)
- How the IEQ team works with clients on wealth management (9:30)
- Rob walks us through IEQ's client screening process (10:18)
- The value of culture at IEQ (11:10)
- The use of technology at IEQ (12:00)
- How being a founder has informed Rob's work with his clients (13:30)
- How Rob approaches liquidity planning with clients (14:41)
- Rob breaks down IEQ's partnership with Stone Point Capital (15:33)
- The benefits for smaller firms (18:37)
- What Rob has learned from entrepreneurs during his time in wealth management (19:19)
- The importance of fostering a fun and enjoyable environment and culture (20:43)
Links:
Feedback:
If you have questions about the show, or have a topic in mind you'd like discussed in future episodes, email our producer, marion@lowerstreet.co.