Kestra Financial has recruited a BlackRock executive to head its wealth management operations. Kelly Apple joined Kestra July 6. Kestra announced the move on Wednesday.
Apple will oversee the broad portfolio of services Kestra offers its financial advisors, including retirement planning, insurance, and alternative investments. Her title will be head of wealth management, and that role will cover both Kestra Financial and Kestra Private Wealth Services, the company's channel for breakaway advisors.
"Advisors today are being asked to deliver increasingly comprehensive advice across every stage of a client's financial life," Apple says. "Kestra has built something unique in this industry-a strong foundation for advisors who want to grow and deepen their client relationships-and I'm excited to help expand the capabilities and resources that support their success."
Apple succeeds John Amore as head of wealth management. Kestra Financial announced the promotion of Amore to president in January, and he assumed that role in April.
Since that transition, Kestra has been considering how its wealth management leadership can better support its advisors, who cater to wealthy clients.
"When I stepped into the role of president, our leadership team saw an opportunity to thoughtfully define what this position needed to be for the future of our business," Amore says. "Kelly's experience building partnerships and high-performing teams, paired with a deep understanding of what today's advisors need to grow, will help our community of complete wealth managers thrive."
Apple comes to Kestra after a 13-year stint at BlackRock, where she most recently served as managing director and head of national accounts, overseeing the firm's largest distribution arrangements. She first registered as a broker with Van Kampen Funds in 2003, according to registration records. She joined DWS Investments Distributors in 2010 before jumping to BlackRock in 2012.
BlackRock didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on her departure.
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