Our firm was founded in 1983 as we felt there was a need for better investment advice. We have built a culture based upon professionalism and evidence, not speculation and sales. It's an approach borne out of a dissatisfaction with many traditional wealth management providers, such as private banks, large financial services firms, and trustee companies.
Though we know good people exist within these organisations, we (and many of our clients) have experienced first-hand a culture of selling and distributing financial and investment products under the guise of advice. We knew that a better and more robust approach was required, so we established Lorica Partners with a desire to offer more transparent, collaborative, and evidence-based wealth management.
Our history
Lorica Partners didn't become one of today’s leading wealth management firms by chance. Many lessons were learnt the hard way, and many of our approaches and services were driven by forming a profound understanding of our clients’ goals. However, what remains over our decades of experience is a relentless commitment to put our clients first in every way, and to continually improve our abilities to help them achieve their ideal financial lives.
1983
Nigel Stewart & AssociatesAfter 5 years at Bain & Company, Nigel spent a year travelling around the world. Driven by his adventurous and entrepreneurial spirit, Nigel returned to Australia and started Nigel Stewart & Associates
1986
Move to fee for serviceA long way ahead of its time, the firm began advising their clients on a fee for service model back in 1986. While that might not seem like a special point to make by today's standards, it's worth remembering almost all 'advisers' in the 1980s worked on commissions. Australian law finally banned commissions in 2012 - a step we voluntarily took more than 25 years ago
1994
Joining with the best minds in financeAlways looking for ways to improve investment outcomes for clients, Nigel formed connections with the founders of global fund manager Dimensional Fund Advisors who were creating investment strategies with the best ideas from the academic finance community. Nigel was appointed a foundational director in Australia and began to grow its presence in our region
1998
Formation of Stewart PartnersStewart Partners was started in order to continue to serve clients at all times placing their interests first. In addition, the firm was granted its own Australian Financial Services Licence from ASIC which has continued to this day
2003
Global Association of Independent Advisors (GAIA)In 2003, an alliance of nine Australasian advisory firms was formed, which later grew to become the Global Association of Independent Advisors (GAIA). All are like-minded firms from around the world and are committed to sharing best practice. GAIA firms are CEFEX accredited fiduciaries
2013
Forming APW PartnersIn 2013, Stewart Partners merged with Melbourne Private Wealth in Melbourne and was jointly known as APW Partners for 5 years. While both firms share much in common, many of the benefits of merging didn't materialise. In late 2017 the two firms decided to resume their independence, while continuing to collaborate
2021
Lorica PartnersTo reflect the bold choice to become legally recognised as an independent advice firm and in keeping with Nigel's step down from his long role as Chairman, we changed our name to Lorica Partners. It reflects a new chapter built on a successful past, and an exciting future. We have built a legacy of providing wise counsel and advice to our clients and we look forward to continuing on this journey
Understanding Global Best Practice
We recognised some time ago that going beyond our shores to learn from the best in the world helps us create exceptional experiences for our clients. This is why we belong to an international network of independently-owned, investment advisory firms, whose overriding commitment to fiduciary excellence fortifies our ability to provide world-class advice and wealth management to our clients.
GAIA
The Global Association of Independent Advisors™ (GAIA) is a professional network of privately owned financial advisory firms serving affluent families who share best practices and learn from each other, so that we can better serve our clients. Our members are located in the USA, Australia, Europe, Canada, Chile and New Zealand.
GLOBAL Academic Finance Community
We have deep and longstanding relationships with the global academic finance community, including the University of Chicago Booth School of Business, which counts six Nobel Prize laureates amongst its faculty members. These relationships help ensure our evidence-based Investment Philosophy continues to evolve and remain at the forefront of global thinking and best practice.