MIAMI — June 5, 2026
Executive Summary
Sanctuary Wealth has welcomed Valen Private Capital, LLC as its newest Partner Firm, bringing aboard veteran wealth advisor John Durham, J.D., LL.M., who previously oversaw $477 million in client assets. The launch of Valen Private Capital marks Durham’s transition to independence and reflects his focus on serving ultra-high-net-worth families through personalized investment management, planning coordination, and multi-generational wealth strategies. Sanctuary stated that the partnership expands its community of independent advisory firms while providing Durham access to the platform, resources, and flexibility needed to grow his newly established firm.
Announcement Overview
Sanctuary Wealth announced that Valen Private Capital has joined its Partnered Independence platform as a new Partner Firm. Founded by former Merrill Lynch advisor John Durham, the firm was established to serve a concentrated group of families with substantial wealth, complex financial structures, and long-term legacy planning objectives. Durham brings more than 25 years of wealth management experience and previously managed $477 million in total assets. Sanctuary stated that its platform will provide Valen Private Capital with access to investment, planning, technology, operational, and ultra-high-net-worth advisory resources while allowing the firm to maintain independence, control, and flexibility in serving client families.
Key Announcement Details
- Announcement Type: Partner Firm Appointment
- Partner Firm: Valen Private Capital, LLC
- Parent Platform: Sanctuary Wealth
- Founder: John Durham, J.D., LL.M.
- Previous Affiliation: Merrill Lynch
- Assets Previously Overseen: $477 million
- Industry Segment: Wealth Management
- Business Model: Independent Wealth Management Firm
- Client Focus: Ultra-high-net-worth families
- Core Services: Investment Management, Planning Coordination, High-Touch Advisory Services
- Specialization: Multi-Generational Wealth Planning and Legacy Strategies
- Strategic Objective: Expand independent advisory capabilities for affluent families
- Platform Model: Sanctuary Wealth Partnered Independence
- Key Benefit for Advisor: Greater freedom, flexibility, control, and choice
- Key Benefit for Clients: Expanded access to personalized and holistic wealth planning solutions
- Additional Leadership Appointment: Benjamin Durham named Partner & Director of Financial Planning
- Additional Team Member: Lisa Downey joins Valen Private Capital
- Founder Experience: More than 25 years in wealth management
- Educational Credentials: Juris Doctor, Master of Laws in Taxation, Estate Planning Certificate
- Announcement Date: June 5, 2026
- Headquarters Mentioned in Announcement: Miami, Florida
- Growth Focus: Independent business ownership and long-term enterprise value creation
- Target Market: Families with substantial wealth, complex balance sheets, and long-term planning needs
- Advisory Philosophy: Capital stewardship, family responsibility, and legacy planning
- Strategic Significance: Expands Sanctuary Wealth’s growing network of independent partner firms
Valen Private Capital Joins Sanctuary Wealth as a New Partner Firm
Sanctuary Wealth announced that Valen Private Capital, LLC has joined the firm’s growing network of Partner Firms.
The addition of Valen Private Capital brings to Sanctuary:
- A newly launched independent advisory firm
- A founder with more than 25 years of wealth management experience
- A practice focused on ultra-high-net-worth families
- A client base with complex planning and legacy needs
- A former wirehouse advisor overseeing $477 million in assets
According to the announcement, the partnership reflects Sanctuary’s continued efforts to support experienced advisors seeking greater flexibility and ownership through independence.
The firm stated that John Durham selected Sanctuary’s platform while evaluating options for launching his own independent wealth management business and establishing a long-term framework for serving client families.
John Durham Launches Independent Firm Following Merrill Lynch Career
John Durham, J.D., LL.M., joins Sanctuary after building a wealth management practice at Merrill Lynch.
According to the announcement:
- Durham joined Merrill Lynch in 2004
- He developed personalized wealth management solutions for affluent individuals and families
- He managed $477 million in total client assets
- He focused on the needs of families with significant wealth and complex financial structures
Valen Private Capital was established to provide a highly personalized advisory experience centered on long-term family objectives, wealth stewardship, and legacy planning.
The firm stated that its client focus extends beyond investment management and includes broader family considerations related to responsibility, decision-making, and multi-generational wealth transfer.
Valen Private Capital’s Advisory Approach
Valen Private Capital was founded to serve a concentrated group of families requiring sophisticated wealth management support.
According to the announcement, the firm’s service model combines:
- Investment management
- Financial planning coordination
- High-touch client service
- Multi-generational wealth planning
- Legacy-focused advisory support
- Family capital stewardship strategies
The firm stated that many of the families it serves have:
- Substantial wealth
- Complex balance sheets
- Long-term planning requirements
- Multi-generational financial objectives
Valen Private Capital also seeks to help families encourage future generations to build their own achievements and opportunities beyond inherited wealth.
The firm’s approach focuses on helping clients make thoughtful decisions regarding capital, responsibility, and family legacy planning.
Sanctuary Wealth on the Partnership
Vince Fertitta, President, Wealth Management, Sanctuary Wealth, commented on the addition of Valen Private Capital and the launch of Durham’s independent practice.
Vince Fertitta, President, Wealth Management, Sanctuary Wealth, said:
“John has spent decades building a highly specialized practice around the needs of an exclusive group of families. As he considered establishing his own firm and unlocking the asset he worked so hard to build, John’s top priority was a robust platform with UHNW capabilities that would enable him to fulfill his vision of expanded services and solutions for the families he serves. Free from the constraints of a wirehouse environment, he is now positioned to play an even more significant role in his clients’ lives and able to provide them with bespoke, holistic advice.”
Sanctuary stated that Durham’s transition to independence aligns with the objectives of advisors seeking greater control over their businesses while maintaining access to sophisticated planning and wealth management resources.
Sanctuary’s Partnered Independence Model
According to the announcement, Sanctuary’s platform is designed to support advisors transitioning from large financial institutions into independent business ownership structures.
The firm stated that its model allows advisors to select an affiliation structure that aligns with their goals while providing access to resources required to support sophisticated client relationships.
Key platform capabilities highlighted in the announcement include:
- Investment resources
- Financial planning support
- Technology infrastructure
- Operational support
- Business-building resources
- Ultra-high-net-worth capabilities
- Advisor flexibility and control
Sanctuary noted that the platform is intended to help advisors maintain independence while accessing resources necessary to support growth and client service objectives.
John Durham on Choosing Sanctuary Wealth
John Durham explained the factors that influenced his decision to partner with Sanctuary during his transition to independence.
John Durham, Founder, Valen Private Capital, said:
“As I evaluated independence, I wanted a partner that would allow me to build Valen Private Capital around my clients – not force my clients into someone else’s model. Sanctuary offered the combination of flexibility, experienced support and UHNW resources I was looking for, while allowing me to retain control of the firm I am building. That was important to me, my family and the families we serve.”
According to the announcement, Durham sought a platform capable of supporting his long-term vision while preserving the flexibility necessary to tailor services to client needs.
The partnership enables Valen Private Capital to operate independently while leveraging Sanctuary’s broader advisory ecosystem and support capabilities.
Leadership Team Joining Valen Private Capital
The announcement also highlighted additional professionals joining the newly launched firm.
Benjamin Durham
Benjamin Durham joins Valen Private Capital as:
- Partner
- Director of Financial Planning
Prior to joining the firm, Benjamin Durham served as a Wealth Management Specialist at Merrill Lynch in New York.
Lisa Downey
Lisa Downey has also joined Valen Private Capital.
According to the announcement, she previously worked alongside John Durham and brings years of experience supporting client service and practice operations.
The addition of Benjamin Durham and Lisa Downey strengthens the firm’s leadership and operational capabilities as it begins serving clients under the Valen Private Capital brand.
Sanctuary Wealth CEO Commentary
Adam Malamed, Chief Executive Officer of Sanctuary Wealth, commented on the firm’s newest Partner Firm and Durham’s decision to launch an independent business.
Adam Malamed, CEO, Sanctuary Wealth, said:
“Valen Private Capital reflects the kind of sophisticated advisor who continues to choose Sanctuary. John wanted more than a place to affiliate. He wanted a platform that would respect the business he built, strengthen the resources available to his clients and give him room to create value over time. We are excited to welcome John, Ben and Lisa to Sanctuary and look forward to supporting Valen Private Capital in this next phase.”
According to Sanctuary, the partnership reflects ongoing demand among experienced advisors for greater business ownership, flexibility, and control while maintaining access to sophisticated wealth management resources.
About Sanctuary Wealth
Sanctuary Wealth is a leading hybrid RIA that provides comprehensive wealth management solutions, platform partnerships, and strategic capital investments to sophisticated independent wealth management firms.
Through its Partnered Independence model, Sanctuary supports advisors seeking greater freedom, flexibility, control, and choice as they transition from large financial institutions and establish independent businesses.
The firm was created to serve elite wirehouse breakaway advisors and today supports a growing network of partner firms and business models through:
- Integrated technology
- Marketing support
- Operational resources
- Open-architecture platform capabilities
- Practice growth solutions
Sanctuary stated that its platform enables advisors to serve clients at a high level while building long-term enterprise value.
Media Contact
For additional information, visit sanctuarywealth.com.
Source Attribution
Source: Company announcement
