Clark Capital's Brendan Clark Wins Wealthies CEO of the Year

PHILADELPHIA: Brendan Clark, chief executive of Clark Capital Management Group, has been named CEO of the Year in the Asset Managers category at the 2026 Wealth Management Industry Awards, known as "the Wealthies," the firm said in a Sept. 15 release distributed by PR Newswire.

The award was presented on Sept. 10 at the program's 12th annual ceremony at Cipriani 42nd Street in New York City, where more than 600 wealth management executives gathered.

From $6 Billion to $49 Billion

The numbers behind the award are large. Since Brendan Clark became CEO, the firm's assets under management have grown from about $6 billion to more than $49 billion, an all-time high. The firm reported $49.16 billion in discretionary and non-discretionary assets as of June 30, 2026.

Clark Capital booked a record $10 billion in gross sales in 2025. The firm says that growth accelerated even as it completed what it calls its most significant strategic milestone in 40 years: a partnership with Raymond James Investment Management.

The Raymond James Partnership

Clark Capital now describes itself as an independent boutique investment manager within Raymond James Investment Management. It provides institutional investment strategies to individual investors, corporations, foundations and retirement plans, and its work is aimed at financial advisors and their clients.

The firm was founded in 1986 by Harry Clark, now executive chairman. Brendan Clark said the award "reflects where Clark Capital is headed as much as where we've been," and credited the team's work for "advisors and their clients."

How the Wealthies Choose a Winner

The Wealthies are run by Informa. The CEO of the Year award in the Asset Managers category looks for vision, creativity, integrity, leadership, communication and performance in running an asset management firm. Judges consider impact on the firm and the industry, external measures such as revenue, profitability and growth, thought leadership and a record of promoting diversity.

Nominations were open to all firms, and firms submitted work from the previous 18 months. A panel of independent judges reviewed entries in June, picked finalists and ranked them, with the weighted ranking deciding the winner. The release says no financial compensation is paid for consideration.

A Run of Industry Honors in 2026

The CEO award adds to other recognition this year. Clark Capital won two InvestmentNews Awards in June: the Prudential Advisors Award for Asset Manager of the Year and the Thrivent Award for Excellence in Philanthropy and Community Service. It was also named to the Philadelphia Business Journal's Best Places to Work list for the eighth year in a row.

Industry awards are partly marketing, and firms publicize them to reach the advisors who choose their strategies. What gives this one weight is the growth record: an eightfold rise in assets under management is hard to argue with.

What Advisors Will Watch

For advisors who use outside managers, the questions now are practical. They include how the Raymond James partnership affects distribution and whether 2025's record sales pace continues. Regulation is also moving. The SEC recently proposed rescinding its pay-to-play rule for investment advisers, a change relevant to firms that manage public pension money.

Clark Capital is one of several financial firms making leadership news this month. Archwell Capital named Mike Middleman chief executive on Sept. 18, while Clark's award recognizes a CEO already well into his tenure.