NEWPORT BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC today announces the appointments of Andrew Rudd, Ph. D., Chairman and CEO of Advisor Software Inc., and Arthur Rubinfeld, Chief Creative Officer and President, Global Innovation, at Starbucks, and author of “Built for Growth,” to the Board of Directors of its parent company, United Capital Financial Partners, Inc. For United Capital, these thought leaders add specialized expertise to the board and signal focus areas for the firm’s strategy.
Rudd, a pioneer of investment analytics, cofounded Barra Inc. in 1974, acting as Chairman of the public company until its sale to Morgan Stanley in 2004. Subsequently, he built Advisor Software to advance the science of wealth planning with goal-driven, dynamic end-to-end technology solutions so that advisers can offer richer, more personalized advice to their clients.
United Capital CEO Joe Duran is looking forward to the help Rudd will lend to the company’s platform and client-facing tools—these are industry-leading at present, but the firm intends to stay ahead of the curve with technology.
“There are two aspects of United Capital that completely resonate with me as an industry observer and board member,” said Rudd. “First, they truly understand how to embrace and integrate technology to create a strong and scalable platform. Second, they are advocates for clients, and the way they approach planning addresses people’s lives, not just their money.”
Turning to another focal point at United Capital—the client experience—Rubinfeld’s expertise will lend guidance in this area. He helped to build Starbucks Corporation into a diverse global business and iconic brand. As the company’s Chief Creative Officer, he helped to design and implement the unique “Starbucks experience,” which is reflected in their products and 22,000 retail stores.
“As I got to know Joe, it became clear that he and his team are serious about changing their industry for the better. By thinking differently and essentially redefining the category of financial services, I believe they will make a positive difference in people’s lives. My objective is to share my global perspective to enhance client engagement and drive creativity,” Rubinfeld said.
Just as Starbucks redefined the coffee experience, United Capital has dedicated a large-scale effort to consumer research to develop their own client experience. “The way we think about it, we’re not in the money business, or even the wealth management business—that is old language for old models. The new category we are building is Financial Life Management—these are the words that people in our research study connected to, and how we approach our clients,” Duran expressed.
With the additions of Rudd and Rubinfeld, United Capital Financial Partners, Inc.'s Board of Directors has 10 members, with Robert Doede, Ph. D., serving as Chairman.
About United Capital Financial Partners
United Capital Financial Partners, Inc., the parent company of United Capital Financial Advisers, LLC (“United Capital”) and its consulting affiliate, is a financial life management firm. United Capital is a Registered Investment Adviser (RIA) offering clients objective advice and guidance via an open architecture platform that enables a wide array of investment management solutions tailored specifically to client needs. Today, United Capital has approximately $13 billion in assets under management and 59 offices around the country. For more information, please visit www.unitedcp.com.
