A highly accomplished team from UBS – Jeff Allen, Steve Armaly, Brian Blackburn, and Mike Lee – has launched Ox Road Capital, a new independent firm based in Greenville, SC, with guidance from Diamond Consultants.
The ten-person team, including four founding partners, three Wealth Strategy Associates, and three Client Service Associates, manages approximately $1.25B in client assets and will operate with the support of the LPL Strategic Wealth (SW) model.
A Century of Combined Experience and a Shared Vision for Independence
Together, Jeff, Steve, Brian, and Mike bring close to a century of experience advising high-net-worth and ultra-high-net-worth families, individuals, and private foundations.
From their website, the team sums it up simply: “We have always prioritized relationships over transactions, providing high-touch, personalized service to help you live more and worry less.”
From UBS to Building a Legacy
While the advisors valued their time at UBS, they collectively felt a strong pull toward independence. For them, this transition isn’t about leaving something behind but about moving toward something better that allowed them to:
- Build their own culture rooted in shared values and principles.
- Gain greater control and autonomy in serving clients.
- Create an enduring legacy by mentoring the next generation of advisors.
- Deliver a personalized, high-touch experience enhanced by efficient technology and operational support.
As Mike shared in their press announcement: “All businesses and individuals have three seasons they pass through – Survival, Success and Significance. We reached that final stage where we began to think about legacy and it was clear we needed to make a move to really build something that could outlast the founders.”
Why LPL Strategic Wealth?
The team explored multiple models of independence, particularly those that could offer turnkey support for an established, high-producing wirehouse team. LPL SW stood out for its unique ability to combine the scale and security of the industry’s third-largest custodian with the feel of a true business-to-business partnership. The platform offers turnkey infrastructure and white-glove service, enabling advisors to devote their time and energy to clients and growth rather than back-office functions. Just as important, it provides a path to future optionality—including the flexibility to launch their own RIA if they choose.
In their own words, “LPL gives us the independence and flexibility to go even deeper.”
A Journey Years in the Making
Diamond Consultants’ relationship with this team dates back nearly two decades, beginning with their former partner and deepening over time with each of the four founders. Through regular conversations, we helped them assess changes in the wealth management landscape and, it became clear that the team wanted independence and autonomy above all else. Together, we explored various independent models.
Ultimately, LPL Strategic Wealth emerged as the solution most closely aligned with the team’s vision—supporting both their immediate objectives and their long-term ambition to build a legacy of independence.
With the launch of Ox Road Capital, Jeff, Steve, Brian, and Mike are well-positioned to deliver on their vision: combining independence, flexibility, and a culture of values to serve clients without limitations and build a legacy that will endure for generations.