#United States #Overland Park #Creative Planning #SageView #Jon Upham

Creative Planning Appoints Jon Upham

In a significant advancement within the investment advisory sector, Creative Planning, one of the largest registered investment advisory firms in the United States, has announced the appointment of Jon Upham as the head of its newly combined retirement solutions division. Upham, who has been serving as the President of SageView Advisory Group, brings a wealth of experience and expertise to this pivotal role, especially in light of Creative Planning's recent acquisition of SageView.

This leadership transition is poised to strengthen Creative Planning's market position as a premier wealth management and retirement plan consulting firm. Following the merger, the newly formed entity will manage approximately $640 billion in total client assets, serving upwards of 80,000 private wealth clients and 11,800 retirement plans across all 50 states and more than 90 countries.

"Jon brings unparalleled expertise in shaping institutional retirement businesses," commented Peter Mallouk, President and CEO of Creative Planning. "Having started his career as an advisor himself, he offers a unique perspective on the needs of plan sponsors and how best to support and scale a growing retirement business. SageView has an outstanding reputation as a leader in the retirement plan consulting industry, and Jon's leadership has been instrumental in building that reputation."

Upham’s illustrious career in retirement planning has been marked by impressive achievements. Having joined SageView in 1999, he has played a crucial role in growing the firm from managing less than $500 million in assets to overseeing 1,800 plan sponsor clients and $250 billion in combined assets under advisement (AUA) and assets under management (AUM) as of mid-2025.

"Serving as an advisor and President of SageView for more than 25 years has been an honor," said Upham. "I look forward to stepping into this next chapter alongside our talented retirement plan advisors and teams across SageView and Creative Planning. I am grateful to Peter for his trust, and I’m confident that, together, we’ll drive accelerated growth and shared success."

Creative Planning's announcement of the acquisition was made on October 9, with the deal expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2025. The transaction aims to enhance Creative Planning's retirement plan services, particularly in the current landscape, where retirement planning is increasingly crucial for individuals and organizations alike.

Creative Planning, LLC operates as an independent wealth management firm providing clients with a wide range of services, including financial planning, investment management, retirement planning, estate planning, trust services, tax planning, and family office services. As of September 30, 2025, the firm and its affiliates manage over $390 billion in combined assets across all 50 states and in 90 countries.

This strategic acquisition not only emphasizes Creative Planning’s commitment to growth within the retirement solutions market but also highlights the importance of strong leadership in achieving corporate aims. Upham's background and extensive experience in retirement plan advisory services signal a proactive approach to navigating the complex landscape of financial advisory services in the years to come.

As these new developments unfold, stakeholders will be keenly observing how this merger and leadership change will shape the offerings and capabilities of Creative Planning, especially in meeting the evolving needs of retirement plan sponsors and participants worldwide.