JANA lures BT Financial exec to lead wealth strategy

Binaya Dahal

Journalist

8 May 2026

JANA Investment Advisers (JANA) has made its second senior executive hire in less than a week, appointing former BT Financial Head of Managed Accounts and Direct Equities Zac Leman as its new General Manager of Wealth.

The $1.7 trillion asset consultant said on Thursday that Leman will be responsible for shaping strategy across advice, investment, operational and implementation capabilities. The recruitment follows the recent hiring of Matt Wacher into a newly created chief investment officer role.

JANA general manager of strategy & innovation Lauren O’Neill said the appointment boosts the firm’s leadership at a time when clients are seeking more sophisticated, institutional-quality insights to meet their needs.

“Drawing on his deep understanding of the wealth and advice landscape, Zac will play a key role in expanding access to our investment expertise, and delivering consistent, high-quality advice and implementation outcomes,” O’Neill said.

JANA Wealth has reported steady growth in recent years, with funds under advice or management reaching about $15 billion, including more than $3.4 billion in managed accounts.

Leman said the firm is well positioned to meet rising demand for integrated investment and advice solutions across the wealth sectors.

“JANA’s client-first philosophy, purpose-led approach and its depth of investment capability strongly align with how I think about delivering value to clients,” he said.

“The wealth sector continues to evolve, with increasing demand for more sophisticated, outcome-focused solutions. I’m looking forward to working closely with clients and partners to build on JANA’s strengths and deliver advice and implementation that supports long-term value creation.”

Prior to BT Financial, Leman had held senior roles at Mason Stevens and Next Financial.