Westwood Holdings Group Partners With ETF Leader Ben Fulton to Expand and Scale ETF Platform
Westwood Holdings Group (NYSE: WHG) has partnered with ETF veteran Ben Fulton to expand its ETF platform through a new venture called WEBs Investments Inc. (Westwood Engineered Beta). Westwood will invest in WEBs, providing distribution resources and administrative support, with an option to acquire the entity upon reaching growth milestones. Fulton, who grew Invesco's PowerShares ETF platform from $200M to $80B during 2005-2013, brings nearly 30 years of ETF industry experience. The partnership aims to develop innovative ETF strategies, building on Westwood's recent launch of two Energy ETFs in Q2. The WEBs team includes three of Fulton's former colleagues, collectively bringing over 75 years of ETF experience.
Westwood Holdings Group (NYSE: WHG) ha stretto una collaborazione con il veterano degli ETF Ben Fulton per ampliare la sua piattaforma ETF attraverso una nuova iniziativa chiamata WEBs Investments Inc. (Westwood Engineered Beta). Westwood investirà in WEBs, fornendo risorse per la distribuzione e supporto amministrativo, con la possibilità di acquisire entità al raggiungimento di traguardi di crescita. Fulton, che ha fatto crescere la piattaforma ETF PowerShares di Invesco da 200 milioni a 80 miliardi di dollari tra il 2005 e il 2013, porta con sé quasi 30 anni di esperienza nel settore degli ETF. L'obiettivo della partnership è sviluppare strategie ETF innovative, facendo leva sul recente lancio da parte di Westwood di due ETF sul settore energetico nel secondo trimestre. Il team di WEBs comprende tre ex colleghi di Fulton, che insieme vantano oltre 75 anni di esperienza nel settore ETF.
Westwood Holdings Group (NYSE: WHG) ha establecido una asociación con el veterano de ETFs Ben Fulton para expandir su plataforma de ETFs a través de una nueva iniciativa llamada WEBs Investments Inc. (Westwood Engineered Beta). Westwood invertirá en WEBs, proporcionando recursos de distribución y apoyo administrativo, con la opción de adquirir la entidad al alcanzar hitos de crecimiento. Fulton, quien hizo crecer la plataforma ETF PowerShares de Invesco de 200 millones a 80 mil millones de dólares entre 2005 y 2013, aporta casi 30 años de experiencia en la industria de ETFs. El objetivo de la asociación es desarrollar estrategias innovadoras de ETFs, basándose en el reciente lanzamiento por parte de Westwood de dos ETFs de energía en el segundo trimestre. El equipo de WEBs incluye a tres excolegas de Fulton, que en conjunto aportan más de 75 años de experiencia en ETFs.
Westwood Holdings Group (NYSE: WHG)는 ETF 베테랑 Ben Fulton과 파트너십을 체결하여 WEBs Investments Inc. (Westwood Engineered Beta)라는 새로운 사업을 통해 ETF 플랫폼을 확장합니다. Westwood는 WEBs에 투자하고 배급 자원 및 관리 지원을 제공하며, 성장 이정표 도달 시 해당 법인을 인수할 옵션을 가집니다. Fulton은 2005년부터 2013년까지 Invesco의 PowerShares ETF 플랫폼을 2억 달러에서 800억 달러로 성장시킨 경험을 가지고 있으며, ETF 산업에서 거의 30년의 경력을 가지고 있습니다. 이 파트너십의 목표는 Westwood가 2분기에 두 개의 에너지 ETF를 출시한 것을 토대로 혁신적인 ETF 전략을 개발하는 것입니다. WEBs 팀은 Fulton의 전직 동료 세 명으로 구성되어 있으며, 총 75년 이상의 ETF 경험을 보유하고 있습니다.
Westwood Holdings Group (NYSE: WHG) a établi un partenariat avec le vétéran des ETF Ben Fulton pour élargir sa plateforme ETF à travers une nouvelle initiative appelée WEBs Investments Inc. (Westwood Engineered Beta). Westwood investira dans WEBs, fournissant des ressources de distribution et un soutien administratif, avec la possibilité d'acquérir l'entité une fois des jalons de croissance atteints. Fulton, qui a fait croître la plateforme ETF PowerShares d'Invesco de 200 millions à 80 milliards de dollars entre 2005 et 2013, apporte près de 30 ans d'expérience dans l'industrie des ETF. L'objectif du partenariat est de développer des stratégies ETF innovantes, s'appuyant sur le récent lancement par Westwood de deux ETF énergétiques au deuxième trimestre. L'équipe de WEBs comprend trois anciens collègues de Fulton, rassemblant ensemble plus de 75 ans d'expérience dans le secteur des ETF.
Westwood Holdings Group (NYSE: WHG) hat eine Partnerschaft mit dem ETF-Veteranen Ben Fulton geschlossen, um seine ETF-Plattform durch ein neues Unternehmen namens WEBs Investments Inc. (Westwood Engineered Beta) zu erweitern. Westwood wird in WEBs investieren und Vertriebsressourcen sowie administrative Unterstützung bereitstellen, mit der Option, die Einheit nach Erreichen von Wachstumsmeilensteinen zu erwerben. Fulton, der die ETF-Plattform PowerShares von Invesco von 200 Millionen auf 80 Milliarden Dollar von 2005 bis 2013 ausbaute, bringt fast 30 Jahre Erfahrung in der ETF-Branche mit. Das Ziel der Partnerschaft ist es, innovative ETF-Strategien zu entwickeln, basierend auf dem jüngsten Launch von zwei Energie-ETFs durch Westwood im zweiten Quartal. Das WEBs-Team umfasst drei von Fultons ehemaligen Kollegen, die insgesamt über 75 Jahre ETF-Erfahrung zusammenbringen.
- Partnership with proven ETF industry leader Ben Fulton who has a track record of growing AUM from $200M to $80B
- Option to acquire WEBs Investments upon achieving growth milestones
- Recent successful launch of two Energy ETFs in Q2
- Experienced team with over 75 years combined ETF expertise
- None.
Insights
This strategic partnership marks a significant move for Westwood's ETF expansion ambitions. The collaboration with Ben Fulton, who has a proven track record of scaling ETF platforms (growing PowerShares from
The partnership's focus on "white spaces" and first-mover advantage in innovative ETF products suggests a strong differentiation strategy in an increasingly competitive market. The recent successful launch of two Energy ETFs shows early market validation. With the combined expertise of Fulton's product development capabilities and Doran's distribution network, this venture has significant growth potential in the
The structured nature of this partnership reveals a well-thought-out growth strategy. By investing in WEBs while maintaining an acquisition option, Westwood creates a favorable risk-reward scenario that allows for operational flexibility and performance-based expansion. The combination of Westwood's 40-year institutional credibility with Fulton's innovative ETF expertise addresses both traditional stability and modern market demands.
The assembly of a team with over 75 years of combined ETF experience, including veterans from major players like ProShares and Invesco, significantly reduces execution risk. This talent acquisition strategy, coupled with Westwood's existing distribution infrastructure, creates a robust foundation for scaling the ETF platform while maintaining quality control.
- Westwood has entered into a partnership with ETF veteran Ben Fulton to scale Westwood’s ETF platform, offering investors and advisors new, highly innovative strategies
- Our new partnership called WEBs—"Westwood Engineered Beta”—will apply a proprietary strategy seeking to provide a more stable investment experience and better risk-adjusted returns to investors
- Westwood will form the partnership by investing in WEBs Investments Inc. and will provide distribution resources and administrative support, with an option to buy the entity in the future
- Ben Fulton, a recognized ETF industry leader and pioneer, grew Invesco’s PowerShares ETF platform from
$200 million to$80 billion during his tenure from 2005 to 2013, first as EVP, Global Product Development and later as Head of Global ETFs - Chris Doran, Westwood’s Head of ETF Distribution & National Accounts and a 25-year, proven ETF-sales leader, will directly support WEBs, leveraging his extensive experience and client relationships
DALLAS and NEW YORK, Oct. 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. (NYSE: WHG) (“Westwood”), a diversified asset management firm headquartered in Dallas, TX, today announced that Westwood has invested in a new venture with exchange-traded-fund (“ETF”) industry leader Ben Fulton to expand Westwood’s existing ETF platform to include new, highly innovative strategies developed under a new stand-alone entity called WEBs Investments Inc. (“WEBs”), which stands for “Westwood Engineered Beta.” WEBs is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Westwood will invest in WEBs and provide distribution resources and administrative support to WEBs, leveraging its more than 40 years in the investment management industry. Westwood will have the option to acquire WEBs in the future if the entity achieves certain growth milestones.
“In the second quarter of this year, we took the first steps towards achieving our vision of building out our ETF platform with the rollout of two Energy ETFs, both of which were well received by the market and our clients,” said Brian O. Casey, Westwood Chief Executive Officer. “Our partnership with Ben and his team will greatly accelerate our path to meet the needs of investors who have expressed growing interest in ETF products. We believe that combining Ben’s ETF product development track record and vision with Chris Doran’s sales experience and relationships in the ETF space, along with the resources of our Westwood distribution team, will be a powerful combination to drive the growth of our partnership. Our goal will be to deliver new and innovative products in the ‘white spaces’ where we can secure first-mover advantage with less competition—always looking toward the next phase of growth to deliver value to our clients, our shareholders and our firm.”
“This partnership with Westwood is tremendously exciting as I know firsthand the exceptional growth that is possible for us to achieve together, after seeing Invesco’s PowerShares ETF platform grow exponentially during my tenure as Head of Global ETFs,” said Ben Fulton, Chief Executive Officer and Chief Product Officer of WEBs. “I could not have chosen a better partner, as we see eye-to-eye on the right investment and market approach needed to bring new products to market. I am also looking forward to working again with my long-time colleague, Chris Doran, this time in his new role at Westwood overseeing ETF Distribution and National Accounts.”
With nearly 30 years of experience in the ETF industry, Ben Fulton is recognized as a noted pioneer and product visionary in ETF investments. He served as the driving force behind Invesco PowerShares’ assets under management (“AUM”) growth from
In addition, Mr. Fulton and Mr. Doran worked together at Invesco from 2006 to 2013 while Mr. Doran held multiple sales leadership positions. Mr. Doran joined Westwood in July of this year as Head of ETF Distribution and National Accounts, further reinforcing Westwood’s commitment to expanding and innovating its ETF platform and suite of products.
ABOUT WESTWOOD HOLDINGS GROUP, INC.
Westwood Holdings Group, Inc. is a focused investment management boutique and wealth management firm. Founded in 1983, Westwood offers a broad array of investment solutions to institutional investors, private wealth clients and financial intermediaries. The firm specializes in several distinct investment capabilities: U.S. Value Equity, Multi-Asset, Energy & Real Assets, Income Alternatives, Tactical Absolute Return and Managed Investment Solutions, which are available through separate accounts, the Westwood Funds® family of mutual funds, exchange-traded funds ("ETFs") and other pooled vehicles. Westwood benefits from significant, broad-based employee ownership and trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "WHG." Based in Dallas, Westwood also maintains offices in Chicago, Houston and San Francisco. For more information on Westwood, please visit westwoodgroup.com.
ABOUT WEBs INVESTMENTS INC.
WEBs Investments Inc., which stands for “Westwood Engineered Beta” (“WEBs”), is an investment adviser registered with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission led by ETF-industry veteran Ben Fulton, which has entered into a new venture with Westwood Holdings Group, Inc.
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Forward-looking Statements
Statements in this press release that are not purely historical facts, including, without limitation, statements about our expected future product offerings, growth, investor interest in ETF products, success of the new venture, financial position, results of operations or cash flows, as well as other statements including without limitation, words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “expect,” “could,” “goal,” “possible,” and other similar expressions, constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended. Actual results and the timing of some events could differ materially from those projected in or contemplated by the forward-looking statements due to a number of factors, including, without limitation: risks associated with actions of activist stockholders; regulations adversely affecting the financial services industry; our ability to maintain effective cyber security; litigation risks; our ability to develop and market new investment strategies successfully; our reputation and our relationships with current and potential customers; our ability to attract and retain qualified personnel; our ability to perform operational tasks; our ability to select and oversee third-party vendors; our dependence on the operations and funds of our subsidiaries; our ability to maintain effective information systems; our ability to prevent misuse of assets and information in the possession of our employees and third-party vendors, which could damage our reputation and result in costly litigation and liability for our clients and us; our stock is thinly traded and may be subject to volatility; competition in the investment management industry; our relationships with investment consulting firms; our ability to identify and execute on our strategic initiatives; our ability to declare and pay dividends; our ability to fund future capital requirements on favorable terms; our ability to properly address conflicts of interest; our ability to maintain adequate insurance coverage; our ability to maintain an effective system of internal controls; and the other risks detailed from time to time in Westwood’s SEC filings, including, but not limited to, its annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 and its quarterly report on Form 10-Q for the quarters ended March 31, 2024 and June 30, 2024. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. Except as required by law, Westwood is not obligated to publicly release any revisions to these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this press release or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
FAQ
What is the new partnership between Westwood Holdings Group (WHG) and Ben Fulton?
What is Ben Fulton's track record in the ETF industry?
What recent ETF developments has Westwood Holdings Group (WHG) made?
