BridgePort Financial Solutions, the registered investment advisor launched by Cambridge Investment Research in 2024, has hired Clara Sierra as managing director to lead the business. Sierra joins from Moody’s Analytics, where she served as senior director, industry practice lead – asset management.
She replaces Eddie Rollins, who was hired by Cambridge in 2024 at BridgePort’s launch to lead the direction, planning, growth and development of the new RIA and its services. Rollins has retired, the firm confirmed.
In the new role, Sierra will report to Jeff Vivacqua, Cambridge’s president of growth and development. She’s been tasked with leading the advisor experience, technology, operations, compliance partnership and growth initiatives.
Prior to joining Moody’s, she was senior vice president of business development for Amundi Pioneer Investments’ independent broker/dealer channel.
Cambridge launched BridgePort to provide smaller, fee-only advisors with flexible acquisition options. The firm takes minority, majority or full ownership stakes in the advisor businesses that join the platform.
Advisors who sell 100% of their equity become employees of BridgePort, and take on the RIA’s branding, whereas those who sell minority or majority stakes retain independent contractor status and their own branding.
In exchange, advisors who join the platform get access to the tech stack, as well as “soft services” that Cambridge provides, such as practice management and business consulting, lending services and outsourced services like websites and marketing.
Since inception, BridgePort has invested in or acquired firms representing over $2 billion in assets under advisement.
This follows news in March that Cambridge introduced a new business model with its acquisition of WealthPlanners, a wealth-planning and benefits-consulting firm managing nearly $800 million in assets.
