Kristen Bell

Focus Financial Partners, Inc., an interdependent partnership of wealth management, business management, and related financial services firms, has announced that Kristen Bell has been promoted to become President of Focus Partners Australia.

In her new role, Ms. Bell will be responsible for driving the convergence of Focus Partners Australia under a single, national brand. She will also oversee the Business Solutions divisions of Focus Partners Australia, including Focus Partners Australia Accounting, Focus Partners Australia Credit Advisory, and MEDIQ. Ms. Bell will also collaborate with leadership at Focus Partners Australia’s partner, Escala, on a variety of initiatives designed to leverage the scale of Focus in ways that stimulate growth and development for both businesses.

“Kris’ appointment is a reflection of her outstanding leadership within our organisation,” said Travis Danysh, Chief Strategy Officer at Focus Financial Partners. “She has a proven track record of delivering results and a deep commitment to our clients, team members, and business interests in Australia. I am looking forward to continuing working alongside her in the region in her expanded role.”

Ms. Bell has been with Focus since 2021. She initially served as the Head of Compliance and Regulatory Affairs for Connectus, which is now part of Focus Partners Australia, and was appointed Chief Operating Officer and Chief Compliance Officer at Connectus in 2024. Prior to joining Focus, she held senior-level executive roles for AUSIEX and CommSec.

“I am excited about taking this expanded role within Focus Partners Australia and look forward to helping the business deliver exceptional outcomes for clients while fostering a collaborative culture across our organisation,” said Bell.

The post Kristen Bell promoted to President of Focus Partners Australia appeared first on AdviserVoice.

The advisory and investment teams will remain largely the same but will now be more aligned with, and supported by, Focus Financial Partners. Clients will continue to benefit from industry-leading investment advice delivered by the expertise and guidance of seasoned advisors.

As part of this integration, Escala has enhanced its leadership structure to include:

• Ben James, who has been appointed CEO. Mr. James, who is a founding partner of the firm, previously served as its Head of Advisory.
• Torty Howard, who has been appointed COO.
• Simon Dawkins, who will continue as Escala’s Head of Capital Markets and Fixed Income Division.

In addition, Travis Danysh, Chief Corporate Development Officer at Focus Financial Partners, is expected to be appointed Executive Chairman of Focus’ Australian businesses, further strengthening the alignment between the two organisations. Mr. Danysh brings deep cross-functional experience that supports long-term value creation for clients. Prior to his current role, Mr. Danysh held other roles at Focus and has led various strategic initiatives across multiple Focus firms. Before Focus, Travis had a career in investment banking.

Mr. Dawkins will continue in his role leading Escala’s Capital Markets division, ensuring consistency and continuity within one of the firm’s most critical arms. Escala clients will also continue to benefit from leading investment insights delivered by the dedicated and experienced CIO team, led by Chief Investment Officer Tracey McNaughton.

James highlighted the significance of the integration, stating, “This integration completes the journey by formally bringing us into the fold of Focus Partners Australia. This is more than a structural change, it’s a strategic evolution. Joining forces with Focus Partners Australia allows us to set the foundation for our continued growth and evolution, through which we will deliver expansive solutions and a differentiated client experience through a unified and integrated global organization.”

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

Ms. Howard reinforced the firm’s commitment to its founding principles while embracing the advantages of global integration, improved technology and reporting, and expanded operational scale. “Our investment philosophy remains unchanged, but it will be significantly enhanced by access to global resources and international investment solutions,” she noted.

“Escala will continue to deliver tailored investment offerings through a collaborative, team-based approach that is now further empowered by the expertise and capabilities of Focus. We are more aligned than ever to showcase our deep commitment to long-term client success.”

The post Escala Partners joins Focus Partners Australia, unveils new leadership team appeared first on AdviserVoice.