2018 NAPFA Fall Conference Speaker

Mark McCarron is Wescott’s Principal, Chief Investment Officer, leading Wescott’s Investment Research Group and co-chairing Wescott’s Investment Committee. As such, Mark manages Wescott’s investment team in researching, designing and implementing Wescott’s Investment Strategies and portfolio solutions for the firm’s clients through constantly evolving markets. Mark is also responsible for client related communications on investment-focused matters, including white papers, research reports, quarterly commentaries as well as other communications regarding Wescott’s investment philosophy, perspective, outlook and performance. Mark’s rich background is in advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices and foundations on investment strategy across both traditional and alternative asset classes. Mark began his career in the asset management industry and wealth management profession with the $800 billion investment firm, SEI Investments, in 1994, as an analyst covering U.S. and non U.S. managers, across a range of styles and asset classes. “It was a very good early foundation because it gave me an opportunity to understand the asset management industry as a whole, the academic research influencing investment processes and highlighted the skills necessary to generate returns in excess of the market. During the first part of my career I focused on directing research, developing investment strategy and managing portfolios for both institutional and private clients.” At SEI Mark rose to become Managing Director, Global Head of Client Investment Strategy (U.S.). He then was asked to move to SEI’s London office in 1999 to help build out SEI’s investment offering for non-U.S. clients, including institutional and private wealth clients in the U.K., Europe, Asia and South Africa. Mark went on to become Managing Director, Head of London Investment Team (U.K.), and represented the firm’s investment capabilities globally. In both the U.S. and U.K. roles Mark developed a range of asset allocation models and portfolio solutions for high-net-worth individuals and institutional markets used company wide. In addition, this role encompassed the selection and ongoing monitoring of the specialist managers who would execute the strategies. “This gave me an opportunity to travel and meet with clients from around the world to better understand them and provide tailored solutions to their specific goals and objectives.” What started as a three-year posting in the U.K., turned into 10 years as the business grew and the research need expanded. Mark’s experience as Global Head in both the U.S. and U.K. gives him a unique perspective in understanding the U.S. domestic markets and international markets, their correlations and opportunities. “I enjoyed working and living in London. On a personal note, my wife and I had two children while in London and we all decided to become dual citizens of the U.S. and the U.K. The time I spent abroad, on both a personal level and a professional level, provided me a perspective that I value today. The global economy is interdependent and capital markets are influenced by global trends, policies and geopolitics. When constructing investment strategies, I believe it is important to take these factors into account and the experience I had there gave me a unique perspective which I apply today.” Mark left SEI to take on roles in family offices that enabled him to focus his efforts on directly advising ultra-high-net-worth individuals, family offices and foundations on investment strategy. Mark joined Wescott as CIO to use all of his backgrounds and talents for Wescott’s clients in researching and implementing customized investment solutions. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA), Mark received his bachelor’s degree in finance, with a concentration in English, from Boston College’s Carroll School of Management. He also studied international economics and comparative economic systems at the London School of Eco