Rockefeller Capital Management, the New York-headquartered firm, has tasked the newly-appointed figure to lead a unified organization blending investment solutions and strategic client solutions groups.

Rockefeller Capital Management has appointed Christopher Kirk as head of investment and client solutions. He holds the post of managing director.

Most recently, at Wellington Management, Kirk served as president of both Wellington Alternative Investments and Wellington Funds US, with responsibilities for business and investment performance. 

In his new job, Kirk reports to Eric Heaton, head of finance, risk management, and strategy. In addition, Kirk will have reporting lines to Gregory Fleming, president and chief executive, for major strategic projects and initiatives, and Edmond Moriarty III, EVP and chief operating officer, for cross-business coordination.

In this position, Kirk leads a newly-unified organization combining the firm’s investment solutions and strategic client solutions groups. 

Kirk’s leadership team will include Rose Lee, who is continuing as head of investment solutions, now comprising alternatives, capital markets, insurance and annuities, investment due diligence, and product development; Michael Brakey, who serves as head of client solutions, comprising retirement and specialty products, lending, and managed solutions; and Samantha Cooper, who is assuming expanded responsibilities as head of distribution for investment and client solutions. All three will report to Kirk. 

Kirk will also partner with Christopher Dupuy, president of the Rockefeller Global Family Office, and private advisors on developing and maintaining a preeminent investment platform and leading solutions for clients. In addition, he will collaborate with Jim Ratigan and Steve Valentino, co-presidents of Rockefeller Strategic Advisory, and their team of investment bankers to source customized and exclusive direct and co-investment opportunities.

Before joining Wellington Management in 2004, Kirk was a director in the investment banking division at Merrill Lynch & Co, advising financial institutions on mergers and acquisitions and capital raising transactions. Earlier in his career, he worked at A T Kearney and John Hancock Financial Services.

Rockefeller’s wealth division – Rockefeller Global Family Office – has been busy recently adding teams around the country. In early February, for example, it added Lewis Wealth Partners – the firm’s first private advisor team based in Richmond, Virginia. In January, it brought in Axiom Wealth Partners, a business with 26 people based in Grand Rapids, Michigan. In November 2023, it added Moon Wealth Partners, of Bethesda, Maryland.

RCM has expanded rapidly since it was established in 2018. The firm’s origins date to when the family office was set up in 1882 by energy tycoon John D Rockefeller.  As of December 31, 2023, the organization was responsible for $122 billion in client assets across its three businesses, Rockefeller Global Family Office, Rockefeller Asset Management, and Rockefeller Strategic Advisory.