RIA Edge Podcast: John Bunch on Scaling Up Allworth Financial

Aug 26, 2025

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Scaling growth isn’t just about getting bigger; it’s about vision, discipline and striking the right balance between legacy and innovation.

So how does a $30 billion-plus RIA navigate the complexities of rapid acquisitions, evolving culture and the disruptive promise of AI?

In this episode of the RIA Edge Podcast, host David Armstrong sits down with John Bunch, CEO of Allworth Financial, to unpack how he’s guiding a founder-led firm into a professionally managed enterprise. From people and strategy to the smart use of technology, John shares what it takes to shape the future of advisory services at scale.

John discusses:

The evolution of Allworth from a founder-led practice to a $30 billion-plus RIA with a national footprint
His leadership philosophy in transitioning firms from founder-driven to professionally managed organizations
How acquisitions, large and small, fit into Allworth’s growth strategy and culture
Why investment management, tax planning and estate services are central to serving today’s high-net-worth clients
How the firm is using AI and why it is being employee-driven

Resources:

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About Our Guest:

John Bunch is the Chief Executive Officer at Allworth Financial. Universally recognized within the wealth management industry, he has accumulated an extensive 30-year history of successfully leading and expanding award-winning organizations that serve both retail and institutional clients.

Before coming to Allworth, John spent over three years as the Chief Financial Services Director at Evelyn Partners (formerly Tilney Smith & Williamson), a leading integrated wealth management and professional services firm headquartered in the United Kingdom. Prior to that, he was the Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President of Edelman Financial Engines – where he oversaw 130 branch offices – and the Chief Executive Officer of The Mutual Fund Store. Before that, he held several key institutional sector leadership positions, including Executive Vice President at TD Ameritrade and Divisional Senior Vice President at Charles Schwab & Co.