Mercer Advisors Names New Principal of M&A

Mercer Global Advisors, a registered investment advisor headquartered in Denver, has promoted Martine Lellis, chief talent officer since 2020, to the newly created position of principal, mergers and acquisitions partner development.

Lellis began her wealth management career in 2002 at Sullivan, Bruyette, Speros & Blayney, where she rose to become COO and helped lead the firm through “a rapid period of growth,” according to Mercer.

“Adding another executive with C-Suite experience to the M&A partner development team reflects the company’s strategic commitment to inorganic growth and helps ensure the success of firms that partner with Mercer Advisors,” the company said.

The firm began its M&A efforts in 2016. The M&A partner development focus was bolstered in 2017 when Dave Barton transitioned from his nine-year tenure as CEO to a newly created role of vice chairman of M&A.

Lellis’ promotion comes after Mercer announced in February that it had hired five new executives to strengthen its M&A partner development and integration teams.

According to a recent Echelon Partners report, Mercer was one of the top three most active acquirers last year, alongside Wealth Enhancement Group and Captrust Financial Advisors.

Since 2016, Mercer has acquired 86 firms and boosted its assets from $10 billion in 2017 when Dave Welling took over as CEO to little less than $60 billion now.

Mercer is backed by private equity firms Altas Partners, Genstar Capital, Harvest Partners and Oak Hill Capital.