The Saskatchewan advisory firm is looking to give clients access to portfolio management through Q Wealth while retaining the independence and client relationships behind its established business
Robert Noel has always wanted his advisory business to outlast his own career, and that plan is already a family affair. His son Hudson is a partner at Alderwood Wealth Partners, working alongside his father and fellow partner Scott Buhler. With two generations of leadership and 48 combined years of experience, they decided it was time to take their business beyond the resources of a standalone practice.
Based in Warman, Saskatchewan, Alderwood serves families, retirees and business owners across Western Canada, and like many independent firms, it has found that staying independent and building a more sophisticated business can pull in different directions. As client assets and planning requirements become more complex, the investment capabilities and infrastructure needed to support them can absorb resources that might otherwise be directed toward advice or business development.
Alderwood addressed that challenge through a partnership rather than by building those capabilities entirely on its own: it recently joined Q Wealth Partners, becoming part of a national network of independent advisory businesses that share access to investment management infrastructure and participate in the ownership of the broader organization.
“What excites us most is being part of a community of like-minded firms,” says Hudson Noel, partner and wealth advisor at Alderwood. “We’ve always valued the independence and personal relationships that define our business, and we see an opportunity to build on that foundation by learning from and collaborating with other successful advisors and portfolio managers across the Q Wealth network.”
The decision to join Q Wealth provided a different operating structure for a firm with the next generation already at the table, with a mind to the generations to come.
A move towards stronger portfolio management
“We wanted to move to the portfolio manager side of the business,” says Robert Noel. That goal shaped Alderwood’s search: the firm explored several organizations offering a route into that model, eventually narrowing its options through in-person meetings. Q Wealth stood out for what Noel considered its “evolving” approach to portfolio management.
The people and technology behind the platform added to its appeal. “We saw real potential in the use of AI, but just as important was the depth of the team they have behind the scenes,” Noel says. “They’ve brought in some very good people, and that gives us access to expertise that can add to the advice we’re able to provide our clients.”
The move expands the resources available to a practice whose services already encompass wealth management, retirement planning, insurance and business succession. Alderwood’s advisors can remain closely involved in clients’ broader financial affairs while drawing on Q Wealth’s investment professionals and portfolio management infrastructure. The opportunity to work with other advisors was another lure for Hudson.
Two generations, one growing business
Q Wealth’s model gives participating firms an equity interest in the larger organization, along with participation in profit sharing.
That structure carries extra weight when two generations share a business and both have a stake in its long-term value. Alderwood retains its local advisory business while participating in a national organization whose development extends beyond the clients and assets of any one partner firm.
With two generations of advisors involved, Alderwood can build relationships with clients at different stages of their financial lives. It also places the firm in a stronger position to maintain those relationships as its own leadership develops, supported by investment resources that extend beyond the local practice.
The original ambition was specific: get clients access to portfolio management services through Q Wealth and secure the business’ future. By joining forces with Q Wealth, Alderwood has checked both boxes.
Required Disclosure
Quintessence Wealth (Q Wealth) is a partnership that is registered as a portfolio manager, exempt market dealer and investment fund manager. The portfolio manager registration allows Q Wealth to provide investment advice to its clients. The exempt market dealer registration allows Q Wealth to engage in trading activity. These services are provided by Q Wealth through registered advising representatives and dealing representatives, respectively.
Q Wealth is a partnership that is owned by its partners, including Alderwood Wealth Partners. As a client of Q Wealth, you may receive services from both Q Wealth and Alderwood Wealth Partners. Note that individuals from Alderwood Wealth Partners will only provide investment advice and trading advice if they are registered as advising representatives and dealing representatives of Q Wealth, and in providing such services, they will be doing so on behalf of Q Wealth only. Alderwood Wealth Partners may however provide wealth management services such as financial planning, estate and retirement planning, insurance, group benefits and others.
Q Wealth Partners is a registered trade name of Quintessence Wealth, registered as a Portfolio Manager in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, Saskatchewan and Yukon, an Investment Fund Manager in Newfoundland and Labrador, Ontario, and Quebec, an Exempt Market Dealer in Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, and a Commodity Trading Manager in Ontario. The Ontario Securities Commission (OSC) is the principal regulator for Quintessence Wealth. Please visit www.qwealth.com for more information.
