Focus Financial Partners has added one of its network firms, as the wealth management firm aims to expand its footprint in the Australian market. 

Escala Partners, a Melbourne-based wealth and investment advisory firm, has joined Focus Partners Australia, Focus Financial said. 

Escala Partners, founded in 2013, offers “personalized” and “customized” wealth management and investment solutions to high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth individuals, families, not-for-profit organizations, and institutional investors. 

Following Focus Financial’s latest addition, Escala Partners has made several key executive changes. Ben James, who has served as Escala’s investment advisor and founding partner of the firm, has been appointed as CEO. Torty Howard, who has been the firm’s co-COO, has been promoted to COO, Simon Dawkins, who will continue as Escala’s head of capital markets and fixed income division and Travis Danysh will be assuming the role as executive chairman of Focus Partners’ Australian businesses, in addition to his position as chief corporate development officer at Focus Financial Partners. 

“As part of the evolution of Focus’ presence in the Australian market, we are excited by the opportunity to bring Escala together with our other businesses in Australia to build a scaled, premier wealth management organization capable of delivering comprehensive services, deep expertise, and a personalized experience,” Danysh said. “The addition of Escala to Focus Partners Australia is an important step towards solidifying our strong position within the Australian market through a leading operating and growth platform, capable of delivering holistic solutions to clients and their advisers.” 

In March, Focus Financial Partners announced that its network firm, Transform Wealth, will merge into Focus’ existing firm, Kovitz Investment Group Partners, boosting Kovitz’s assets under management by roughly $3 billion.