Miami, Florida Oct 17, 2024 (Issuewire.com) - Chris Chakford, a seasoned professional in the financial services industry, highlights the continued growth of Divergent Capital Asset Management. The Miami-based firm is an SEC-registered investment advisor (RIA). It specializes in alternative investments, private wealth management, and outsourced Chief Investment Officer (OCIO) services. Divergent Capital has quickly become a leader in the financial sector by offering clients access to unique institutional-grade alternative investments.
Chakford started his career at SecondMarket, managing auction-rate securities. His work with illiquid assets shaped his approach to alternative investments. He later held senior roles at Kawa Capital Management and NewOak Capital Markets. These positions helped him gain expertise in private placements, structured products, and alternative strategies. Now, as the Founder and CEO of Divergent Capital, Chakford uses his extensive experience to build a platform that merges traditional wealth management with alternative investment opportunities.
“We identified an opportunity to provide investment strategies normally reserved for institutional investors,” says Chakford. “Our goal is to offer those same strategies to individual clients, advisors, and family offices.”
A Focus on Alternative Investments
Divergent Capital stands out from other RIAs because of its focus on alternative investments. Chris Chakford and his team specialize in private equity, private credit, and other non-traditional investments. The firm’s flexible approach allows it to create customized portfolios while minimizing risks. Divergent Capital provides clients with access to a proprietary network of institutional-grade investment opportunities.
“Advisors and clients are increasingly interested in alternatives but often don't know how to access them,” Chakford explains. “At Divergent, we guide clients through the process with confidence. Whether it’s private equity, structured products, or real estate, we help them diversify and meet their financial goals.”
Divergent also offers OCIO services. These services assist financial advisors, RIAs, and family offices in navigating complex investment environments. The firm functions as an outsourced investment office, providing strategic management while simplifying operations.
Building on Experience
Chakford’s experience in alternative investments began at SecondMarket. He developed and led the secondary market for the $330 BL auction-rate securities market and played a key role in creating liquidity for illiquid assets. During his time there, Chakford led the trading division, managing 15 employees and overseeing multiple illiquid trading divisions, including bankruptcy claims, restricted stock, warrants, private placements, and ABS. .
After leaving SecondMarket, Chakford joined NewOak and launched the SJ-MAC Funds. The SJ-MAC Funds were hybrid investment vehicles that followed a private credit mortgage strategy. Chakford led a six-person team, raised over $50MM in ERISA capital as an anchor investment, and was responsible for all trading decisions and overseeing risk.
Chakford left NewOak to join Kawa Capital Management as Managing Director and Head of Private Placement Origination. His leadership in structured products and private placements helped position Kawa as a leader in alternative lending. He also led private credit strategies, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. His work was featured in several industry interviews that discussed how Kawa created flexible lending solutions during economic uncertainty.
Meeting Market Demand
Divergent Capital was created to fill a gap in the market. Many advisors and RIAs lacked the expertise to offer alternative investments to clients. Chris Chakford and his team recognized the need for a platform that provides alternative investment expertise, while being open architecture and maintaining high standards of service and transparency.
“Our clients are seeking investment options outside of traditional stocks and bonds,” Chakford notes. “We aim to be their trusted partner in navigating private markets and finding the right opportunities to match their goals.”
Divergent also simplifies operations for its clients. The firm offers detailed reporting tools that help clients understand the impact of their alternative investments.
Looking Ahead
As Divergent Capital continues to grow, Chris Chakford remains focused on enhancing the client experience. He plans to leverage new technologies to streamline alternative investing while maintaining personalized service.
“We’re dedicated to innovation,” says Chakford. “Whether through new investment strategies or improved services, we will continue to evolve with our clients’ needs.”
Learn more about Chris Chakford: https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-chakford-ba0b121/
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