Brian Strachan is a Managing Director, Private Wealth Advisor, and head of The Strachan Group at Morgan Stanley Private Wealth Management. A Senior Investment Management Specialist and Global Sports & Entertainment Director, Brian has spent more than 35 years advising successful families, executives, entrepreneurs, athletes, and entertainers on the complexities of managing significant wealth.
Brian specializes in developing customized wealth management strategies designed to help clients preserve, grow, and transfer wealth across generations. He advises clients on a broad range of financial matters, including investment management, asset allocation, trust and estate planning, charitable giving, liquidity management, and family legacy planning. His approach combines comprehensive planning with tailored investment guidance to help clients navigate important financial decisions with confidence.
Throughout his career, Brian has been recognized by many of the industry's leading publications. He is a Barron's Hall of Fame Advisor and has been named to Barron's Top 100 Financial Advisors list and Barron's Top 1,500 Financial Advisors State by State ranking. He was ranked #3 on Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Advisors list for Massachusetts in 2026, and The Strachan Group was named among Forbes' Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams in 2026. Brian has also been recognized by the Financial Times Top 400 Financial Advisors list and has been featured in publications including Worth Magazine, Research Magazine, and Dow Jones. He is a frequent speaker and panelist at industry conferences focused on wealth management and high-net-worth planning.
Brian earned a Bachelor of Science degree from the Whittemore School of Business at the University of New Hampshire. He previously served on the board of St. Sebastian's School in Needham and is a dedicated supporter of Camp Harborview. Brian and his wife, Aleece, split their time between Boston and Naples, Florida, and enjoy spending time with family on Nantucket.
2008-2009, 2014-2021 Barron's Top 100 Financial Advisors (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2008-2009, 2014-2021). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Dec of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
Barron's Top 50 Private Wealth Management Teams
Source: Barron's.com (Awarded Apr 2020) Data compiled by Barron's based on time period from Dec 2018 - Dec 2019.
2012-2026 Barron's Top 1,200 Financial Advisors: State-by-State (formerly referred to as Barron's Top 1,000 Financial Advisors: State-by-State)
Source: Barrons.com (Awarded 2012-2026). Data compiled by Barron's based on 12-month period concluding in Sept of the year prior to the issuance of the award.
2026 Forbes Best-in-State Wealth Management Teams
Source: Forbes (Awarded Jan 2025). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 3/31/21 – 3/31/22.
Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors
Source: ft.com (Awarded Apr 2013) Data compiled by Financial Times based on data as of 12/31/12.
Financial Times 400 Top Financial Advisors
Source: ft.com (Awarded Mar 2014) Data compiled by Financial Times based on time period from 9/30/12 - 9/30/13.
2022-2026 Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (Awarded Apr 2022-2025) Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on time period from 6/30/20 - 6/30/25.
2019, 2021-2026 Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors
Source: Forbes.com (2019, 2021-2026). Data compiled by SHOOK Research LLC based on 12-month time period concluding in March of the year the award was issued.
Awards & Recognition
- Brian Strachan named to Barron's Top 100 Advisors 2008-2009, 2014-2021
- Brian Strachan named to Barron's Top 50 Private Wealth Advisory Teams 2020
- Brian Strachan named to Barron's Top 1200 Financial Advisors 2021-2026
- Brian Strachan named to Financial Times Top 400 Financial Advisors in 2013-2014
- Brian Strachan named to Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Advisors 2022-2026
- Brian Strachan named to Forbes America's Top Wealth Advisors 2019, 2021-2022
- The Strachan Group named to Forbes Best-In-State Wealth Management Teams 2026
Capabilities
- Comprehensive Wealth Planning
- Investment Management
- Asset Allocation
- Sustainable & Responsible Investing
- Cash Management & Lending
- Risk Management
- Tax, Trust & Estate Advisory
- Philanthropy Management
Securities Agent: IL, WY, VT, VA, SC, RI, MI, MT, LA, CT, UT, PA, OH, NY, NH, MO, DE, AL, TX, TN, OR, NJ, IA, CA, AZ, NV, MD, MA, AR, KY, IN, DC, CO, WA, NM, ME, GA, FL, MS, NC; General Securities Representative; Investment Advisor Representative; Managed Futures
NMLS#: 1270190
CA Insurance License #: 0B09227
Founded in 1977, Private Wealth Management is the division of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management that is dedicated to serving the firm’s most affluent clients, including some of the world’s most accomplished entrepreneurs, executives and stewards of multigenerational wealth. Functioning as an exclusive investment boutique within a global financial firm, we deliver sophisticated solutions that leverage the intellectual capital and insight of Morgan Stanley’s substantial global resources. Drawing on a deep understanding of your financial life, our goal is to help you:
- Manage investments with an unwavering focus on your financial strategy and personal goals
- Create comprehensive, multigenerational wealth management plans based on your needs, challenges and the values that guide your life and legacy
- Simplify financial complexity to help you achieve clarity and control
Private Wealth Management Highlights
- Approximately 300 teams specialized in assisting individuals and families with $20MM+ in investable assets
- Over $1.2 trillion in AUM
- Comprising 26% of the Barron’s Top 100 Financial Advisors list for 2025
- Direct access to ultra high net worth experts in philanthropy, family dynamics, wealth transfer, lifestyle advisory and other areas of interest to ultra high net worth families
1 Morgan Stanley Wealth Management, September 2025
Source: Barron's (Awarded March 2025) This ranking was determined based on an evaluation process conducted by Barron's for the period Oct 2023-Sept 2024. Neither Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC nor its Financial Advisors or Private Wealth Advisors paid a fee to Barron's to obtain or use the ranking. This ranking is based on an algorithm that includes client retention, industry experience, review of compliance records, firm nominations, and quantitative criteria, including assets under management and revenue generated for their firms. Investment performance is not a criterion. Rankings are based on the assessment of Barron's and may not be representative of any one client’s experience. This ranking is not indicative of the Financial Advisor’s future performance. Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC is not affiliated with Barron's. Barron’s is a registered trademark of Dow Jones & Company, L.P. All rights reserved.