The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors

The Diamond Podcast for Financial Advisors


The Canadian Wealth Management Perspective: One-on-One with the CEO of $35B Wellington-Altus

April 24, 2025




With Shaun Hauser – Founder & CEO, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc.






Overview


Shaun Hauser offers a unique perspective on how our northern neighbors perceive the wealth management industry, drawing comparisons to practices and firms in the US, and providing insights into creating an independent firm that has achieved extraordinary growth.








Listen in…

> Download a transcript of this episode…


NOTE: The views and opinions expressed by the guests on this podcast are their own and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of Diamond Consultants. Neither Diamond Consultants nor the guests on this podcast are compensated in any way for their participation.








About this episode…

This marks a first for our podcast series.


Our content focus has traditionally been on the wealth management industry in the US. However, in this episode, we’re heading across our northern border to gain a first-hand view of building a wealth management business in Canada.


For perspective, Statista reported that in 2024, assets under management by Canada’s wealth management firms exceeded a staggering 1.95 trillion US dollars. That’s nearly equal to the country’s annual GDP of 2.1 trillion US dollars.


To learn more about the industry, the similarities to the US, and the differences, we asked the Founder and CEO of one of the most successful independent Canadian firms, $35B+ Wellington-Altus Private Wealth, to join us.


Shaun Hauser built a career as an investment advisor in Winnipeg before founding Wellington-Altus in 2017. With a knack for focusing on the long term, he was ultimately motivated to launch the independent firm and later take on a private equity partner.


In this episode with Louis Diamond, Shaun does a deep dive into his firm and the Canadian wealth management space, including:



  • The Canadian financial advisory industry—and how it compares to the US, including the opportunities and challenges.
  • Being at the epicenter of the nascent Canadian breakaway movement—and how Wellington-Altus became the hottest firm in Canada in less than 10 years.
  • Building an independent firm—and the decision to take on a private equity partner.
  • Differentiating in the Canadian market—and what Wellington-Altus does to stand apart.
  • The value of scaling an idea—and how Canadians learn from US trends.

It’s a conversation that offers a fresh perspective on how our northern neighbors view the wealth management industry, with valuable takeaways for advisors and business owners alike.








Want to learn more about where, why, and how advisors like you are moving? Click to contact us or call 908-879-1002.








Related Resources

The 2025 Annual Report on Transitions and Deals for Financial Advisors – 2024 Activity Data

Data-driven insights and analysis on advisor transitions, deals, and the evolving wealth management industry landscape.


Top Tips for Setting Your Business Up for Success Years Before a Move: An Industry Update

A breakdown of the steps advisors can take to prepare for change and enhance business processes, equally effective for those at the curiosity stage or even deep into due diligence, and whether you ultimately make a move or not.


Finding the Shortest Path to Excellence Can Be a Game Changer for Advisors

Doing everything you can to deliver better service, drive growth, and achieve your goals faster can result in extraordinary benefits.










Shaun Hauser

Founder & CEO, Wellington-Altus Financial Inc.

Senior Wealth Advisor, Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc.



A successful Investment Advisor in Winnipeg, Shaun has worked in the field since 1998. He has extensive experience in the management and organization of departments and companies in the wealth management industry.


Shaun also worked for Wellington West, where he managed operations and sales for the asset management subsidiary. Recently, Shaun served on the executive committee of NBF Wealth Management, where he was VP of Advisor Strategy and Support.








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