&Partners to add UBS executives Mara Glassel and Julie Fox as equity partners

&Partners says it will add Mara Glassel and Julie Fox, two longtime UBS executives, as equity partners and members of its executive team, according to a Tuesday announcement from the advisor-owned hybrid RIA.

They will share responsibility for &Partners' ultra-high-net-worth and private wealth businesses once they finish their notice periods at UBS. The firm was founded in 2023 by former Wells Fargo executives.

Between them, Glassel and Fox spent more than 50 years at UBS. Glassel's 28 years there included running its Greater New York Market, which covers 18 offices, and a stretch as head of national sales for Wealth Management Americas; she also helped build out UBS's banking and structured notes business. Fox, a 24-year veteran, oversaw wealth management and private wealth management across a 15-state Southeast Region, and earlier ran national sales and launched the UBS Global Family Office Group.

The announcement names roles, not client assets or recruiting revenue. Cofounder John Alexander described the hires as a response to what advisors are asking for. Advisors "are demanding more – for their clients and for the businesses they're building," he said, and they choose independence for sophisticated capabilities, support and a voice in decisions that shape their future.

UBS's US financial advisor headcount fell 2.2% in the 12 months through June, ending the period with 5,644 advisors, according to Diamond Consultants' first-half 2026 transition report as cited by InvestmentNews. The same report found 46% of advisors leaving wirehouses chose an independent model, against 24% who crossed to another wirehouse.

Cofounder David Kowach said the pair "know what it takes to serve sophisticated clients and support exceptional advisors," and that they are "choosing independence to help build something great." &Partners has said women lead a reported 40% of its advisor teams. A related InvestmentNews report says the firm capped equity at 40 million shares in a bid to reach $120 billion; the coverage of Tuesday's announcement does not say what equity stake Glassel and Fox will receive.