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Brown Advisory Investment Solutions Group
Brown Advisory began in 1993 as the investment management arm of Alex. Brown & Sons, the nation's oldest investment bank.
Brown Advisory Investment Solutions Group
Brown Advisory began in 1993 as the investment management arm of Alex. Brown & Sons, the nation's oldest investment bank. Mike Hankin joined as CEO in 1998 and led a management buyout, separating the firm from its parent and establishing it as an independent, employee-owned partnership. The firm's Investment Solutions Group operates as a dedicated unit that constructs and manages multi-asset portfolios, serving as an outsourced chief investment officer for family offices, endowments, and foundations. The Investment Solutions Group allocates across public equities, fixed income, private equity, real assets, and hedge funds. The team constructs globally diversified portfolios with a focus on long-term compounding, often integrating the firm's in-house equity strategies — including large-cap growth and sustainable investing mandates. The group draws on Brown Advisory's global research platform, which includes offices in Baltimore, New York, Washington D.C., London, and Singapore. Portfolios are tailored to client-specific liquidity needs, tax situations, and spending policies rather than fitting into a single model. The firm manages over $140 billion in total client assets as of early 2025, with the Investment Solutions Group representing a significant portion of that total. In addition to its main offices, Brown Advisory maintains a presence in key financial centers including New York and London. The firm is privately held with equity distributed among roughly 400 current employees, a structure designed to align interests across generations. In 2023, the firm expanded its global equity capabilities with the addition of a London-based investment team (per the firm, 2023). Brown Advisory's partnership model distinguishes it from publicly traded asset managers. Employee ownership extends to portfolio managers. This structure limits the pressure to gather assets at the expense of investment discipline and allows the Investment Solutions Group to maintain a flat organizational design where senior investors actively manage client relationships rather than delegating to junior staff.
General information
Firm type
Asset Manager
Year founded
1993
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
North America
Country
United States
City
Baltimore
Corporate office
Baltimore, MD, United States
Additional offices
New York, NY · Washington, DC · London, UK · Singapore
Principals
Mike Hankin
President & CEO
Frequently asked questions
What is the relationship between Brown Advisory and the former Alex. Brown & Sons?
Brown Advisory was originally the investment management division of Alex. Brown & Sons, which was founded in 1800. In 1998, CEO Mike Hankin led a management buyout that separated the firm from its parent company. Since then, it has operated as an independent, employee-owned investment firm with no corporate parent.
How is the Investment Solutions Group structured within Brown Advisory?
The Investment Solutions Group functions as a dedicated outsourced CIO practice within the broader firm. It constructs and manages multi-asset portfolios for institutions and family offices, drawing on Brown Advisory's in-house equity and fixed income teams as well as external managers. The group operates with a flat structure where senior investors manage client relationships directly.
Does the Investment Solutions Group invest in private markets?
Yes. While the group's core allocations span public equities and fixed income, it also allocates to private equity, real assets, and hedge funds. The firm builds private market exposure through direct strategies and fund commitments, tailored to each client's liquidity and spending requirements.
What is Brown Advisory's approach to sustainable investing?
Brown Advisory offers dedicated sustainable investing strategies, including a large-cap sustainable growth equity mandate. The Investment Solutions Group can integrate ESG factors into multi-asset portfolios based on client preferences, though the overall approach remains grounded in fundamental research rather than thematic tilts.
Who runs investment decisions at the Investment Solutions Group?
Investment decisions are led by a senior team of portfolio managers who operate as a committee. The group avoids a star-manager structure and emphasizes consensus-driven asset allocation. The firm has not publicly designated a single CIO for the Investment Solutions Group, reflecting its flat organizational design.
Is Brown Advisory a family office?
No. Brown Advisory is an independent, employee-owned investment firm. Its Investment Solutions Group serves family offices among other institutional clients but does not function as a single- or multi-family office itself. The firm acts as a fiduciary investment manager rather than a private office consolidating family services.
How does employee ownership affect client relationships at Brown Advisory?
Roughly 400 current employees hold equity in the firm, including portfolio managers. This partnership structure is designed to limit asset-gathering pressure and keep portfolio managers focused on investment outcomes. For Investment Solutions Group clients, it means senior decision-makers have a direct ownership stake in the firm's long-term performance and reputation.
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